ISSUE
Friday, July 25, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 69
A change to New Zealand’s immigration advice laws means that migrants coming to New Zealand are better protected than ever, according to the head of New Zealand’s Immigration Advisers Authority, Barry Smedts.
From 4 May, people outside New Zealand giving immigration advice about New Zealand must be licensed, unless they are exempt, under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act. The 4 May change is the final implementation phase of the Act. Mandatory licensing for advisers based in New Zealand became law on 4 May 2009.
“The law was introduced to make sure that New Zealand’s reputation as a migrant destination is enhanced. The immigration adviser community no longer has room for poor performers who did little to help migrants,” Mr Smedts said.
“The good news for migrants is that wherever they are in the world, they can have confidence that their adviser meets the high professional standards New Zealanders would expect an adviser to meet.”
Mr Smedts said that licensed advisers faced a rigorous assessment process prior to licensing. Once licensed, advisers had to sign up to a code of conduct that provided consumer protection for migrants.
“Any migrant can handle their own immigration application. But not everyone has the time or detailed understanding of New Zealand’s immigration process, so they can also get help from an immigration adviser. It is vital that they have confidence in their adviser, and that is why knowing their adviser is licensed is so important.”
A list of licensed advisers and where they are based is available on the Authority’s website, www.iaa.govt.nz
If there is a dispute between a migrant and their adviser, the migrant can make a complaint to the Authority. Migrants have no redress to the Authority if their adviser is not licensed.
“Once migrants understand the standards and protection available with a licensed adviser, no migrant would use any unlicensed adviser,” Mr Smedts said.
There are currently 414 licensed advisers worldwide. Immigration New Zealand will no longer accept applications lodged by unlicensed advisers, no matter where they live. Migrants are warned that if they consult someone who is operating unlawfully, the ‘advice’ they receive may ultimately be worthless, as they may not be allowed to move to New Zealand.
More information on immigration adviser licensing is available on the Authority’s website: www.iaa.govt.nz
A change to New Zealand’s immigration advice laws means that migrants coming to New Zealand are better protected than ever, according to the head of New Zealand’s Immigration Advisers Authority, Barry Smedts. From 4 May, people outside New Zealand giving immigration advice about New Zealand must...
A change to New Zealand’s immigration advice laws means that migrants coming to New Zealand are better protected than ever, according to the head of New Zealand’s Immigration Advisers Authority, Barry Smedts.
From 4 May, people outside New Zealand giving immigration advice about New Zealand must be licensed, unless they are exempt, under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act. The 4 May change is the final implementation phase of the Act. Mandatory licensing for advisers based in New Zealand became law on 4 May 2009.
“The law was introduced to make sure that New Zealand’s reputation as a migrant destination is enhanced. The immigration adviser community no longer has room for poor performers who did little to help migrants,” Mr Smedts said.
“The good news for migrants is that wherever they are in the world, they can have confidence that their adviser meets the high professional standards New Zealanders would expect an adviser to meet.”
Mr Smedts said that licensed advisers faced a rigorous assessment process prior to licensing. Once licensed, advisers had to sign up to a code of conduct that provided consumer protection for migrants.
“Any migrant can handle their own immigration application. But not everyone has the time or detailed understanding of New Zealand’s immigration process, so they can also get help from an immigration adviser. It is vital that they have confidence in their adviser, and that is why knowing their adviser is licensed is so important.”
A list of licensed advisers and where they are based is available on the Authority’s website, www.iaa.govt.nz
If there is a dispute between a migrant and their adviser, the migrant can make a complaint to the Authority. Migrants have no redress to the Authority if their adviser is not licensed.
“Once migrants understand the standards and protection available with a licensed adviser, no migrant would use any unlicensed adviser,” Mr Smedts said.
There are currently 414 licensed advisers worldwide. Immigration New Zealand will no longer accept applications lodged by unlicensed advisers, no matter where they live. Migrants are warned that if they consult someone who is operating unlawfully, the ‘advice’ they receive may ultimately be worthless, as they may not be allowed to move to New Zealand.
More information on immigration adviser licensing is available on the Authority’s website: www.iaa.govt.nz
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