Becoming a licensed immigration adviser
Schedule
- Part 1: Full Licence
- Index
- Relevant qualification.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the immigration advisers licensing scheme.
- Apply knowledge of immigration law and policy relating to New Zealand.
- Prepare, lodge and administer immigration applications, appeals, requests and claims.
- Apply communication techniques to the immigration process in the English language.
- Conduct business professionally, ethically and responsibly.
- Maintain skills and knowledge through participation in relevant professional development activities.
- Part 2: Provisional Licence
- Index
- Relevant qualification.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the immigration advisers licensing scheme.
- Understand immigration law and policy relating to New Zealand.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the immigration application process.
- Apply communication techniques in the English language.
- Conduct business professionally, ethically and responsibly.
- Develop skills and knowledge through participation in relevant professional development activities.
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Licensed Immigration Advisers Competency Standards 2008
Part 1: Full Licence
Competency 4: Prepare, lodge and administer immigration applications, appeals, requests and claims
Performance indicators:
4.1 Develop and maintain professional relationships with Immigration New Zealand and other relevant organisations.
- May include but not limited to – Settlement Support NZ; Work and Income; the New Zealand Qualifications Authority; other government agencies; professional registration bodies; health organisations.
4.2 Develop and maintain professional relationships with clients.
- Includes but not limited to – providing advice and information before, during and after the immigration application process.
4.3 Assess clients’ immigration situations.
- Includes but not limited to – working with clients to establish eligibility criteria; gathering all appropriate information necessary to make an accurate assessment; conducting preliminary assessments; identifying potential barriers to eligibility; evaluating the range of possible options for clients; providing correct advice and information to clients; providing reasons for advising on a course of action.
4.4 Agree on terms of appointment.
- Includes but not limited to – agreeing on services to be provided and fees to apply; outlining refund policy and any other key terms of agreement; establishing performance expectations; entering into a formal agreement with clients.
4.5 Arrange agreed services in a timely, complete and accurate manner.
- Includes but not limited to – planning the immigration process; issuing understandable and accurate instructions; coordinating the preparation of applications; lodging applications with supporting evidential documents; taking all reasonable steps to ensure that clients submit accurate and genuine documentation; satisfying all lodgement requirements.
4.6 Administer the immigration application process.
- Includes but not limited to – following up applications; liaising with and administering the immigration process with Immigration New Zealand or other appropriate organisation; keeping clients informed; understanding and responding appropriately to issues as they arise; completing the process following decision including the timely return of clients’ documents; ensuring that decisions are communicated to clients and the details and implications of outcomes are explained; checking permit labels for accuracy; advising clients of the procedures for handling complaints; advising clients of available avenues for redress, including appeal rights; taking any necessary follow up action.
4.7 Administer refugee or protection claims or know where to refer clients for specialist advice.
- Includes but not limited to – recognising when clients have potential refugee or protection claims and either: completing claim documentation, advising clients of right to apply for permits, explaining the consequences of refugee status claims, explaining how determinations on claims are made; or knowing who appropriate specialists are and how to contact them.
4.8 Administer appeals or know where to refer clients for specialist advice.
- Includes but not limited to – recognising when clients have appeal rights and either: completing appeal documentation, complying with statutory timeframes, ensuring that evidentiary and submissions requirements are met; or knowing who appropriate specialists are and how to contact them.
4.9 Make requests for special directions or know where to refer clients for specialist advice.
- Includes but not limited to – recognising when a request for a special direction is appropriate and either: completing request documentation and delivering it to appropriate parties; or knowing who appropriate specialists are and how to contact them.
4.10 Apply quality assurance techniques to the provision of immigration advice.
- Examples of techniques: checklists; peer reviews; case reviews; supervisor reviews; team briefings.