Tyson's Visa Canceled: NZ Visit in Jeopardy After Visa Support Letter Withdrawn
Mike Tyson's visa has been canceled just a day after it had been approved, for a trip he was planning to New Zealand to perform his one man show there.
However, Tyson's promoter has reportedly said that the former world heavyweight champion will not give up that easily and plans to reapply and hopefully be re-approved soon.
The visa was canceled after the New Zealand Life Education Trust withdrew its support for his visa. The Life Education Trust had previously supported his visa application, however, it has since emerged that the supporting letter was written by a volunteer in the group that had no authority to do such a thing.
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Once the support was withdrawn the Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson overturned the decision to allow him into the country, effectively canceling the special visa that Tyson had been granted.
Tyson's promoter for the visit, Max Markson, has immediately insisted that Tyson will not be deterred and that they hoped the visa would be reissued again shortly.
Markson has said, "It would be a tragedy if Mike Tyson could not come to New Zealand to do his show," according to the Examiner.
He added, "We'll see if we can get a visa issued again. They've issued it once, hopefully it might be issued again."
Markson has vast experience in promoting well known names in New Zealand and is used to navigating the procedures high profile visitors must go through in order to tick all the boxes. He has previously helped organize visits to New Zealand by former President Bill Clinton, as well as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Tyson will hope that something can be organized quickly, as he was scheduled to arrive in New Zealand on Nov. 15. His people have long-argued that his rape conviction from two decades ago should have no implications on his travel now, and that he is a reformed person.
However, New Zealand automatically bans anyone from obtaining a visa if they have been sentenced to a prison sentence of five years or more. Tyson was given a six year prison sentence in 1992, of which he served three years. For those falling into that area, they must apply for a special visa, as in Tyson's case.
Tyson's visit to New Zealand has generated widespread media coverage, with many voicing opposition to his visit, and equally as many urging the authorities to let him in.
