To help complete a visa/permit application and assist with their travel, some people seek advice from a number of different organisations � for example immigration consultants, lawyers or other businesses specialising in acting as an immigration adviser for migrants.
New requirements for immigration advisers
From 4 May 2009, if you lodge an application with INZ and you are using an unlicensed onshore adviser, we will refuse to accept your application. We have introduced changes to our processes, operational policy, and systems (including the Expression of Interest and Working Holiday Schemes Online) to enable all immigration branches to identify unlicensed onshore advisers.
Who needs a licence?
The Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 requires that anyone providing immigration advice has to be licensed, unless exempt. For a list of exempt people, see below.
From 4 May 2009, All onshore immigration advisers need to be licensed by the Immigration Advisers Authority, unless exempt. All offshore immigration advisers need to be licensed by 4 May 2010.
How do I know if my adviser is licensed?
To become licensed, an adviser must apply to the Immigration Advisers Authority. Licensed advisers are listed on the Register of licensed immigration advisers. To see the Register, go to www.iaa.govt.nz.
If an onshore adviser is not on the Register of licensed advisers and they are not exempt, any applications they make on behalf of a client after 4 May 2009 will be returned, and we will advise the Registrar of the Immigration Advisers Authority.
There is more information and more questions and answers in our Internal Administration Circular. For more information about who needs to be licensed, or to view the Register of licensed advisers, go to the Immigration Advisers Authority website www.iaa.govt.nz, email [email protected], or write to them at PO Box 6222, Wellesley Street, Auckland 1141, New Zealand.
