Convicted drug smuggler Karel Sroubek will have to leave the country after all.

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has reversed his decision to grant convicted drug smuggler Karel Sroubek residency.

But a "disappointed" Sroubek claims his life is still in danger and he is planning to appeal to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal (IPT).

An Immigration New Zealand (INZ) probe into the drug smuggler found he was liable for deportation on grounds not previously considered.

HENRY COOKE/STUFF Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway and Immigration New Zealand deputy chief executive Greg Patchell announced new information meant Karel Sroubek was now liable for deportation.

These included Czech convictions under his real name.

New information from Interpol confirmed details of Sroubek's convictions and that he appealed this verdict to the highest court in the Czech Republic, Lees-Galloway said.

"He is being removed because he never had a visa in the first place," the minister said.

CARMEN BIRD Kickboxer Jan Antolik, whose real name is Karel Sroubek, is a Czech national who was jailed for importing MDMA into New Zealand. While in prison, Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway granted him permanent residency.

Lees-Galloway said public trust and confidence had been damaged and he took responsibility for it, and for fixing it. He apologised to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, but did not offer his resignation.

READ MORE:

* Immigration New Zealand explains how Karel Sroubek case worked

* Chicken farmer who can't stay in NZ uses Sroubek decision in legal bid

* Minister Iain Lees-Galloway did not seek legal advice and took 45 minutes to make Karel Sroubek decision

* Immigration minister not given Karel Sroubek's full criminal history

TOM LEE/STUFF Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has considered the Immigration NZ investigation into Karel Sroubek's residency.