Becoming a licensed immigration adviser
Questions and information
- How do I get a licence?
- What is immigration advice?
- Who is exempt from holding a licence?
- Becoming an offshore licensed immigration adviser
- More information for offshore advisers
- What types of licence are available?
- How much will it cost?
- Do I qualify for a waiver of fees and levy as a not-for-profit adviser?
- What are the competency standards?
- What is the standard for English language competency?
- What is the code of conduct?
- What are the requirements for client files?
- How do I get my NZ Police Certificate?
- Do I need to get offshore Police Certificates?
- How do I get the Immigration New Zealand Activity Record?
- I am a registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority in Australia. How do I apply for a New Zealand licence?
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Becoming a licensed immigration adviser
Providing immigration advice is now a licensed, recognised profession in New Zealand.
Anyone who is providing immigration advice about New Zealand immigration matters must be licensed unless they are exempt. Immigration New Zealand will not accept applications or requests from unlicensed advisers, unless they are exempt.
We recommend you follow this step-by-step guide to completing your application. More information for offshore advisers.
If you are not exempt and you knowingly provide immigration advice without a licence, you could face a fine of up to NZ$100,000 and/or up to seven years imprisonment. To obtain a licence, you need to lodge an application with the Authority. The Registrar will assess your evidence to ensure you meet the competency standards and that you are fit to be licensed. The Registrar can only grant a licence to an individual. He cannot grant a licence to a company or an organisation.
Immigration adviser qualification
The Immigration Advisers Authority has started work on the development of a licensing qualification for immigration advisers. This qualification is likely to replace the existing evidence-based licensing assessment process and will provide an improved pathway for new entrants to the immigration adviser industry.
The Authority is conducting a short survey of current and potential immigration advisers, and anyone else who may be interested in learning more about providing advice about New Zealand immigration matters. We would like to hear from anyone who may be interested in this qualification.
If you would like to take part in the survey, please email the Authority at info@iaa.govt.nz