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Newsletter June 2009

Registrar’s guidance on continuing professional development

The Registrar has issued policy guidance for licensed immigration advisers who are required to participate actively in relevant professional development activities. It includes useful tools and templates to help you plan and participate in CPD. The policy covers:

It is available on the Authority’s website at http://www.iaa.govt.nz/licensed-advisers/maintain.html#cpd

Lexis Nexis Immigration Law Conference 16 and 17 July – 20% discount

This year’s 7th Annual LexisNexis Immigration Law Conference is to be held at the Crowne Plaza in Auckland on 16 and 17 July 2009. There is a 20% discount for licensed immigration advisers. (Please include your licence number on the Lexis Nexis Registration Form) There is also a significant discount (special rate of $495 + GST for the whole two days) for not-for-profit organisations. 

Speakers and experts include the Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Immigration who will provide an update on new immigration policies and changes to existing policies. There will be sessions focussing on:

See the conference programme [external link]

Reference group meets

The Immigration Advisers’ Reference Group met on Tuesday 26 May. The group was formed to seek input from the industry on how the immigration adviser licensing process can be continuously improved.  Tuesday’s agenda was an example of that interaction. The substantial items of discussion included:

The minutes of the meeting will be made available to advisers through the authority’s website once the minutes are confirmed.

The Group is chaired by the Registrar, Barry Smedts. Its members are

Authority operational update

In the year to date, we have dealt with more than 2,808 telephone enquiries and 212 advisers are now on the register. There are another 56 in the assessment process. 

INZ request

Immigration New Zealand would like to remind all licensed advisers that it is important to enter your legal name as it appears on the Register on Immigration New Zealand forms. INZ cross references the name on the form with the name as it appears in the Register at lodgement.

Renewals

The Registrar has received the first application for a licence renewal. Licensed advisers need to note the expiry date of their licence and start the renewal process early.  It is crucial that you start well in advance of the actual renewal date. Remember, you can only lodge a renewal application while your current licence is still valid.

As part of our assessment, you’ll have to provide an exemplar client file and show that you meet competency and fitness standards and adhere to the Code of Conduct. You’ll receive an email approximately two months prior to the expiry of your current licence with a link to the ‘Application for Renewal Form’.

We strongly recommend that you submit your application for renewal at least one month prior to the expiry of your current licence. If we don’t receive your application before the renewal date, our public register will indicate that your licence has expired. In these circumstances, Immigration New Zealand will no longer accept your immigration applications and you’ll be unable to provide immigration advice.

This is something you’ll certainly want to avoid, so start planning now.

Contact us

As always, please feel free to contact us on info@iaa.govt.nz, Freephone 0508 IAA IAA (0508 422 422 — New Zealand only) or write to us at PO Box 6222, Auckland 1141, New Zealand. Or you can visit us at: www.iaa.govt.nz.

Barry Smedts

Registrar of Immigration Advisers

Licensed professionals = Protected migrants