Families pay thousands for NZ study packages; find many visa applications not lodged
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Four families who paid tens of thousands of dollars for study and immigration packages arrived in New Zealand to find that many of their student visa applications had not been submitted.
Paola Walker-Rodriguez was found guilty in the Auckland District Court on 15 September 2026 of 11 of 12 charges under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.
The charges included providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt, holding herself out as an immigration adviser while not licensed or exempt, and asking for or receiving a fee for providing immigration advice.
Her co-defendant and husband, Mauro Donoso Godoy, was also found guilty of one charge of providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt.
Bevan Yee, National Manager Occupational Regulation, said the case highlighted the impact unlicensed immigration advice could have on people making significant decisions about their future.
"In this case, individuals and families paid substantial sums of money and made important decisions based on advice and assurances that proved to be false.”
"This verdict reflects the seriousness of that harm and demonstrates that allegations of unlicensed immigration advice will be investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted.”
Complaints from Chilean families
Between March 2023 and May 2025, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment received five complaints from Chilean citizens living in New Zealand who had purchased a “Study and Work in New Zealand” programme from Walker-Rodriguez’s companies, AIS.Walker and Walker Travel Education.
The complaints were investigated by the Immigration Advisers Authority and ultimately led to the prosecution.
The packages were promoted as offering personalised advice, visa application support and assistance with studying and living in New Zealand.
When most of the victims arrived in New Zealand, they discovered their student visa applications had not been lodged with Immigration New Zealand, despite Walker-Rodriguez telling them their visas were being processed.
Without the visas, they were unable to access some of the study and work opportunities they had paid for and planned their move around.
Some victims also discovered that school or institute fees they had paid to Walker-Rodriguez had not been passed on to education providers as promised.
Warning over unlicensed immigration advice
Yee said people seeking immigration advice and assistance should make sure they were dealing with a licensed immigration adviser or an exempt person as defined under section 11 of the Act.
"Licensed immigration advisers have specialist expertise, have met competency standards and follow a professional code of conduct. Taking a few minutes to check that an adviser is licensed can help protect people from financial loss and avoid significant disruption to their plans."
Aaron Smith, National Manager Risk and Verification for Immigration New Zealand, said the outcome reflected collaboration across the immigration system.
"This case highlights the value of different parts of the immigration system working together to protect international students and their families, who may be navigating unfamiliar education and immigration processes.
"Immigration New Zealand works closely with the Immigration Advisers Authority, providing information, supporting enquiries and investigations where appropriate. This ongoing collaboration plays an important role in preventing harm to migrants and protecting the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system."
Penalties can include prison and fines
The Immigration Advisers Authority regulates immigration advice in New Zealand and maintains the official register of licensed immigration advisers.
People can search for an adviser’s name on the online register or ask to see an adviser’s digital licence certificate, which includes a QR code linking to their public profile on the register.
Yee said anyone providing immigration advice unlawfully should stop immediately.
Individuals convicted of offences under the Act can face penalties of up to seven years' imprisonment and fines of up to NZD $100,000.
“The law is clear and we will continue to take action where people provide immigration advice unlawfully.”
Sentencing is scheduled for early 2027.
Four families who paid tens of thousands of dollars for study and immigration packages arrived in New Zealand to find that many of their student visa applications had not been submitted.Paola Walker-Rodriguez was found guilty in the Auckland District Court on 15 September 2026 of 11 of 12 charges...
Four families who paid tens of thousands of dollars for study and immigration packages arrived in New Zealand to find that many of their student visa applications had not been submitted.
Paola Walker-Rodriguez was found guilty in the Auckland District Court on 15 September 2026 of 11 of 12 charges under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.
The charges included providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt, holding herself out as an immigration adviser while not licensed or exempt, and asking for or receiving a fee for providing immigration advice.
Her co-defendant and husband, Mauro Donoso Godoy, was also found guilty of one charge of providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt.
Bevan Yee, National Manager Occupational Regulation, said the case highlighted the impact unlicensed immigration advice could have on people making significant decisions about their future.
"In this case, individuals and families paid substantial sums of money and made important decisions based on advice and assurances that proved to be false.”
"This verdict reflects the seriousness of that harm and demonstrates that allegations of unlicensed immigration advice will be investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted.”
Complaints from Chilean families
Between March 2023 and May 2025, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment received five complaints from Chilean citizens living in New Zealand who had purchased a “Study and Work in New Zealand” programme from Walker-Rodriguez’s companies, AIS.Walker and Walker Travel Education.
The complaints were investigated by the Immigration Advisers Authority and ultimately led to the prosecution.
The packages were promoted as offering personalised advice, visa application support and assistance with studying and living in New Zealand.
When most of the victims arrived in New Zealand, they discovered their student visa applications had not been lodged with Immigration New Zealand, despite Walker-Rodriguez telling them their visas were being processed.
Without the visas, they were unable to access some of the study and work opportunities they had paid for and planned their move around.
Some victims also discovered that school or institute fees they had paid to Walker-Rodriguez had not been passed on to education providers as promised.
Warning over unlicensed immigration advice
Yee said people seeking immigration advice and assistance should make sure they were dealing with a licensed immigration adviser or an exempt person as defined under section 11 of the Act.
"Licensed immigration advisers have specialist expertise, have met competency standards and follow a professional code of conduct. Taking a few minutes to check that an adviser is licensed can help protect people from financial loss and avoid significant disruption to their plans."
Aaron Smith, National Manager Risk and Verification for Immigration New Zealand, said the outcome reflected collaboration across the immigration system.
"This case highlights the value of different parts of the immigration system working together to protect international students and their families, who may be navigating unfamiliar education and immigration processes.
"Immigration New Zealand works closely with the Immigration Advisers Authority, providing information, supporting enquiries and investigations where appropriate. This ongoing collaboration plays an important role in preventing harm to migrants and protecting the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system."
Penalties can include prison and fines
The Immigration Advisers Authority regulates immigration advice in New Zealand and maintains the official register of licensed immigration advisers.
People can search for an adviser’s name on the online register or ask to see an adviser’s digital licence certificate, which includes a QR code linking to their public profile on the register.
Yee said anyone providing immigration advice unlawfully should stop immediately.
Individuals convicted of offences under the Act can face penalties of up to seven years' imprisonment and fines of up to NZD $100,000.
“The law is clear and we will continue to take action where people provide immigration advice unlawfully.”
Sentencing is scheduled for early 2027.
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