News
Keep up to date with news from the Immigration Advisers Authority.
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Update from Immigration NZ — September 2025
Immigration NZ (INZ) updates about changes to support international education and student visa updates.
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GDNZIA industry placements
If you have an employee that you would like to become licensed, they will need to complete the Graduate Diploma in NZ Immigration Advice (GDNZIA).
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Improving practice: Insights from IAA pilot of onsite inspections
The Immigration Advisers Authority ran a pilot to test on-site inspections. We visited several Licensed Immigration Advisers (LIAs) at their offices to talk about their practices and check client file records.
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Tribunal Decisions — September 2025
The Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal has recently released 3 sanction decisions in relation to Mr Jiang.
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Webinar Announcement — 30 September 2025
Join us for our second webinar of the year, where we will focus on confidentiality and conflicts of interest. These are key areas for meeting Competency Standard 6.1 and 6.6 performance indicators.
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Immigration Adviser’s licence cancelled — ordered to pay $58,500 in compensation
Licensed Immigration Adviser Tzu-Tong Jane Ma has had her licence cancelled after serious breaches of the law. She has also been ordered to pay $58,500 in compensation to 2 migrants and a $10,000 penalty.
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Tribunal Decisions – June 2025
The Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal has recently released 2 sanction decisions involving licensed advisers.
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Update from Immigration New Zealand
The new Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website is now live. The website has clearer information and guidance to help customers manage their immigration journey more easily.
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Maintaining confidentiality when responding to public reviews
In today’s digital age, it is increasingly common for clients to share their experiences with service providers through online reviews on platforms such as Google, Facebook, and other public forums.
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May 2025 Webinar Summary
Our first webinar for the year highlighted that written agreements are more than a regulatory requirement; they’re a professional tool that helps you manage risk, clarify expectations, and deliver a high standard of service.
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Invitation to provide feedback on the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology (Toi Ohomai) has a Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice (GDNZIA) Industry Partnership Group. The group is made up of GDNZIA programme staff, an Authority representative, an INZ representative, and Licensed
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Update from Immigration NZ
Immigration NZ (INZ) updates about student visas and the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
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Tribunal Decisions – April 2024
The Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal has recently released 12 sanction decisions in relation to several advisers.
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Third wave of Annual migrant survey closes 2 May 2025
The 2024/2025 survey of visa applicants who have used a licensed immigration adviser will be conducted in 4 waves, with the third one being conducted during April and May 2025.
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Generating a link to your adviser page
Since the launch of the new portal, adviser pages have dynamic URLs. However, it is possible to generate a static link so that you can link to your adviser page in your email signature or on your website.
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Uploading Continuing Professional Development (CPD) documents in our new online platform
As an adviser you are required to complete 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in each licensing year. While you can keep your plans and records in your own systems, some prefer to maintain them online.
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Webinar Announcement – 8 May 2025
Our first webinar for the year will focus on written agreements. Being able to prepare clear and understandable written agreements is essential to meeting the Competency Standard 6.7 performance indicator.
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Logging into your account for the first time
If you have an existing record in the IAA public register (because you hold a current licence, or have previously held a licence), you will need to set up your access to the new IAA portal.
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Changes to the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 now in force
The changes to the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 (the Act) announced on 27 March 2005, are now in force.
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Upcoming changes to Immigration Advisers Licensing Act (2007)
Over the last 12 months, Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill (No.3) has been going through Parliament. These changes will come into force shortly.
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Visa processing progress – Immigration NZ Update
Improving visa processing times is a top priority as we know how important this is to all our customers. With good people, technology, and processes, we have delivered some results that show we are heading in the right direction.
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GDNZIA Industry Partnership Group
The GDNZIA industry partnership group is made up of GDNZIA programme staff, a representative from the Authority, a representative from INZ and those working in the immigration advice industry.
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February 2025 Tribunal decisions
The Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal has recently released 3 sanction decisions.
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Recent Immigration Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal decisions
The Immigration Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal has recently released 2 decisions that we would like to highlight.
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Supervision
Provisional licence holders are required to work under direct supervision of a full licence holder.
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Changes proposed to the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007
The Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill, which will make changes to the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, was returned to the House before Christmas and is awaiting its second reading in Parliament.
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New Immigration Advisers portal launched
A new and upgraded Immigration Advisers portal was released on 24 February 2025.
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Rescheduled release of new Immigration Advisers portal
The new Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) online portal has been rescheduled for release on 24 February 2025.
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New Immigration Advisers Authority online portal release delayed
The scheduled upgrade of the Immigration Advisors Authority (IAA) portal, due to be released on 3 February, has been delayed.
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Second wave of Annual migrant survey to begin January 2025
The 2024/2025 survey of visa applicants who have used a licensed immigration adviser will be conducted in four waves, with the second one being conducted during January and February 2025. This survey has been conducted since the 2008/2009 financial year. The survey is undertaken to understand the ex...
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Digital licences are coming February 2025
From 3 February 2025, we will start rolling out digital licences to licensed immigration advisers.
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December 2024 Newsletter
In this issue:
- Upgrade to Immigration Advisers Authority register coming soon
- Webinar Questions
- Proactive Compliance Inspection Programme
- Statutes Amendment Bill update
- Tribunal decisions
And more -
Upgrade to Immigration Advisers Authority register coming soon
An upgrade is coming 3 February 2025 to the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) online portal.
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New series to help businesses unmask cyber crime
Small businesses are the target for nearly half of all cyber crime in Aotearoa, with one in three experiencing at least one cyber attack. But less than half of business owners say they are prepared for an online incident.
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Unlicensed immigration adviser sentenced to jail
A repeat offender who provided immigration advice while being unlicensed and, and in some cases, received some payment from his clients, has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison on 9 October 2024 and ordered to pay three of his victims a
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September 2024 newsletter
In this issue:
- A year in numbers (2023-2024)
- Tips to improve supervision of provisional licence holders
- Licensed Immigration Adviser fined and prevented from reapplying for licence for 2 years
- Update from INZ: Accredited Employer Work Visa -
Licensed Immigration Adviser fined and prevented from reapplying for licence for 2 years
Licensed Immigration Adviser John Lawlor has been censured and prevented from reapplying for any licence for a period of 2 years.
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July 2024 newsletter
In this issue:
- Amendments to the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007
- Job Vacancy – Senior Technical Advisor
- Taking parental leave and your licence
- IAA Complaint Form -
April 2024 newsletter
In this issue:
- Recent investigation trends and most common breaches
- Webinar reminder: Client engagement and rubber-stamping
- Message from INZ – Fake visas circulating
- Provide your feedback on the Graduate Diploma in NZ Immigration Advice -
December 2023 newsletter
In this issue:
- What do Migrant trends tell us?
- IAA webinar 3: Link to recording
- GDNZIA Industry Partnership Group -
2022-2023 Migrant survey results
Survey of New Zealand visa applicants who have used an Immigration Adviser 2022-23. Conducted for the Immigration Advisers Authority by GravitasOPG.
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November 2023 newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
IAA Webinar 2: Client files
Tribunal Decisions
Message from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
2022-2023 Migrant survey results -
Client Survey Reminder
You will have received an email with a link to our client survey especially for Licensed Immigration Advisers. We run this survey every two years and really value the feedback you provide us through this.
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September 2023 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
A Year in Numbers (2022-2023)
Migrant exploitation
Webinar Announcement
Tribunal Decisions -
Former Licensed Immigration Adviser convicted following MBIE investigation
A former Licensed Immigration Adviser has been sentenced to 6-months community detention and 100 hours community service after he was found guilty of breaching the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 (the Act).
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June 2023 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
Licensing matters
Tribunal decisions
Webinar recording -
April 2023 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
Charging premiums for jobs
Sentencing outcome: Alvarado Molina
Tribunal decisions
Visa applicant survey
Update from Te Pūkenga | Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Licensing matters
Webinar Announcement -
March 2023 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
Tribunal decisions
Reasonable fees: Guidelines
Update from Toi Ohomai/ Te Pūkenga
Former licensed immigration adviser convicted
Licensing matters -
Former licensed Immigration Adviser convicted, puts visa applicant at risk
Former Auckland based licensed immigration adviser, Gregory Francisco Smith, who continued to provide immigration advice without a licence, was convicted and sentenced last week at the Manukau District Court.
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December 2022 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
Authority closure dates
Update from Toi Ohomai
Licensing matters
Tribunal decisions
Visa applicant survey -
October 2022 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
Update from Toi Ohomai
Licensing matters
Can a migrant be compelled to engage a specific adviser?
Tribunal decisions
IAA Webinar 3 -
August 2022 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
A Year in Numbers (2021-2022)
Licensing Matters
IAA Webinar 2
Tribunal Decisions
Gravitas Migrant Survey (2022/2023) -
June 2022 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
Message from Toi Ohomai
Message from the Overseas Investment Office
Immigration Advisers Authority social media campaign
Prosecution for unlicensed advice
Tribunal decisions -
Church pastor’s wife sentenced for providing illegal immigration advice
The wife of a church pastor who charged hundreds of dollars from visa applicants for all the applications she lodged on their behalf, has been sentenced in the Auckland District Court for providing immigration advice illegally.
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April 2022 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
2022 Webinars
Message from Toi Ohomai
Licensing matters
IAA Social Media campaign -
February 2022 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from Registrar
New adviser resources
Tribunal decisions -
December 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from Registrar
Authority closure dates
Update from Toi Ohomai
November 2021 Webinar recording now available
‘Immigration advice’ on online platforms
Managing clients during Covid – a discussion on best practice
Tribunal -
2021 Migrant survey results
Survey of New Zealand visa applicants who have used an Immigration Adviser 2021. Conducted for the Immigration Advisers Authority by GravitasOPG.
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November 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
2021 Licensed Immigration Advisers Reference Group
Contacting the Authority
CPD verification records
2021 Migrant survey
Managing clients during Covid – a discussion on best practice
Tribunal decision -
Reference group minutes, 4 October 2021
Reference group minutes, 4 October 2021, 2pm – 4pm. Via Zoom
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September 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
2020/21- A year in numbers
2021 Licensed Immigration Advisers Reference Group
Webinars
Message from Toi Ohomai
Message from Employment New Zealand
Licensing matters -
Reference group minutes, 2 August 2021
Reference group minutes, 2 August 2021, 2pm – 3.30pm. Via Zoom
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June 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
2021 Licensed Immigration Advisers Reference Group
Webinars
Adviser survey - Tell us about your experiences
Message from Employment New Zealand
Licensing matters
New/Revised Resources
Prosecution for unlicensed immigration advice -
Company director sentenced to community detention and ordered to pay $74,703 for immigration advice provided without license
A Christchurch woman, whose company provided immigration advice to migrants, has been convicted and sentenced to six months community detention and ordered to repay a total of $74,703, following two charges laid by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA)
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Reference group minutes, 4 May 2021
Reference group minutes, 4 May 2021, 2pm - 4pm. Via Zoom
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April 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
2021 Licensed Immigration Advisers Reference Group
Visa applicant survey
GDNZIA industry placements
Resources
Privacy Act 2020 and Clause 26 of the Code of Conduct 2014
Licensing matters
Tribunal decisions -
Visa applicant survey to begin late April
Results for the 2018/2019 visa applicants survey
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Impacted services: RealMe login outage
RealMe services are being upgraded from 9pm Friday 9 April to 9pm Sunday 11 April. Online services requiring Realme login will be unavailable during this time.
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2019 Migrant survey results
Survey of New Zealand visa applicants who have used an Immigration Adviser 2018/2019. Conducted for the Immigration Advisers Authority by Premium Research.
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February 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
2021 Licensed Immigration Advisers Reference Group
Obligations to notify change in circumstances
Licensing matters
Tribunal decisions