What is so good about a licensed adviser?
It’s a dilemma facing many migrants: whether to manage their own immigration application, or hire a consultant to help with the sometimes confusing process of migrating to New Zealand. While Immigration New Zealand contact centre staff are available to help anyone with their individual queries, there is no doubt that some people have complex personal issues that make it difficult for them to manage their way unassisted through the immigration process.
Migrants to New Zealand have three options open to them: they can complete the application process themselves, work with an exempt person (such as a lawyer or citizens advice bureau worker), or they can consult a licensed immigration adviser.
Anyone looking for immigration advice wants the reassurance that they are dealing with a professional. Since the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act became law, people giving immigration advice about New Zealand have needed to be either licensed or exempt, no matter where they are in the world.
Clearly, the Immigration Advisers Authority is in the business of licensing immigration advisers. The question for migrants is, what is so great about a licensed adviser?
To start with, it’s useful to think about the situation that existed before the new law was introduced. Many migrants have horror stories of bad experiences at the hands of immigration “consultants” in the days before licensing – some of whom guaranteed the migrant a successful outcome, pocketed the migrant’s money, and were never heard from again. While there were many reputable advisers before licensing became law, migrants had no way of knowing who was trustworthy.
Today’s licensing system means that advisers don’t get a licence until they can demonstrate that they are knowledgeable about New Zealand immigration law and policy, and that they meet the professional and ethical standards set by the New Zealand government. In fact, according to Barry Smedts, Registrar of Immigration Advisers, if advisers can’t meet those standards, they don’t belong in this profession.
Once advisers become licensed, they are expected to continually update their knowledge of immigration matters. This is one major area where licensed advisers can add the most value to migrants, as advisers have ready access to the latest immigration law and operational instructions from Immigration New Zealand.
“It is a requirement that all licensed advisers must complete 20 hours of continuing professional development each year they are licensed,” Barry Smedts said.
“CPD must cover aspects of the adviser’s immigration business which would benefit from increased knowledge. While we leave the choice of CPD activities up to each individual adviser, they must provide evidence that the activities they have chosen are directly linked to one of the seven competency standards that licensed immigration advisers must meet.”
While the Immigration Advisers Authority does not run CPD activities, it encourages all licensed advisers to ensure they remain up to date with immigration instructions, and have well-developed, professional and ethical business practices.
If you have any questions about immigration adviser licensing, contact the Immigration Advisers Authority.
It’s a dilemma facing many migrants: whether to manage their own immigration application, or hire a consultant to help with the sometimes confusing process of migrating to New Zealand. While Immigration New Zealand contact centre staff are available to help anyone with their individual queries,...
It’s a dilemma facing many migrants: whether to manage their own immigration application, or hire a consultant to help with the sometimes confusing process of migrating to New Zealand. While Immigration New Zealand contact centre staff are available to help anyone with their individual queries, there is no doubt that some people have complex personal issues that make it difficult for them to manage their way unassisted through the immigration process.
Migrants to New Zealand have three options open to them: they can complete the application process themselves, work with an exempt person (such as a lawyer or citizens advice bureau worker), or they can consult a licensed immigration adviser.
Anyone looking for immigration advice wants the reassurance that they are dealing with a professional. Since the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act became law, people giving immigration advice about New Zealand have needed to be either licensed or exempt, no matter where they are in the world.
Clearly, the Immigration Advisers Authority is in the business of licensing immigration advisers. The question for migrants is, what is so great about a licensed adviser?
To start with, it’s useful to think about the situation that existed before the new law was introduced. Many migrants have horror stories of bad experiences at the hands of immigration “consultants” in the days before licensing – some of whom guaranteed the migrant a successful outcome, pocketed the migrant’s money, and were never heard from again. While there were many reputable advisers before licensing became law, migrants had no way of knowing who was trustworthy.
Today’s licensing system means that advisers don’t get a licence until they can demonstrate that they are knowledgeable about New Zealand immigration law and policy, and that they meet the professional and ethical standards set by the New Zealand government. In fact, according to Barry Smedts, Registrar of Immigration Advisers, if advisers can’t meet those standards, they don’t belong in this profession.
Once advisers become licensed, they are expected to continually update their knowledge of immigration matters. This is one major area where licensed advisers can add the most value to migrants, as advisers have ready access to the latest immigration law and operational instructions from Immigration New Zealand.
“It is a requirement that all licensed advisers must complete 20 hours of continuing professional development each year they are licensed,” Barry Smedts said.
“CPD must cover aspects of the adviser’s immigration business which would benefit from increased knowledge. While we leave the choice of CPD activities up to each individual adviser, they must provide evidence that the activities they have chosen are directly linked to one of the seven competency standards that licensed immigration advisers must meet.”
While the Immigration Advisers Authority does not run CPD activities, it encourages all licensed advisers to ensure they remain up to date with immigration instructions, and have well-developed, professional and ethical business practices.
If you have any questions about immigration adviser licensing, contact the Immigration Advisers Authority.
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