Make sure your Immigration Adviser is licensed!
Potential migrants currently based in New Zealand need to be aware that from May 2009 all Immigration Advisers need to be licensed.
The key question is: 'How does this affect me?'
Migrants and relatives acting on their behalf need to be informed of their rights and choices.
Key points on immigration adviser licensing
The Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 seeks to professionalise the immigration advice industry by licensing immigration advisers; this will protect migrants.
- The Immigration Advisers Authority is responsible for managing immigration adviser licensing www.iaa.govt.nz, freephone 0508 422 422, email info@iaa.govt.nz
- Anyone giving immigration advice onshore after 4 May 2009 needs to be licensed, unless exempt.
- “Immigration advice” is defined as: www.iaa.govt.nz/faqs.html#whatisadvice
- People can access a register of licensed immigration advisers on the Immigration Advisers Authority website www.iaa.govt.nz/Register.htm
- After 4 May 2009, Immigration NZ (INZ) will not be accepting applications from unlicensed onshore advisers.
- The regime applies offshore too, except the operational date is 4 May 2010.
- It is an offence to give immigration advice without a licence once these dates have passed and offenders can be fined up to $100,000 and/or go to jail for up to 7 years.
- Licensed immigration advisers have to abide by a code of conduct and take part in professional development.
- People who can give advice without needing a licence (“exempt”) include Citizens Advice Bureaux staff/volunteers and Community Law Centre staff/volunteers where at least one lawyer is present.
- Practising lawyers are also exempt from being licensed – they can provide immigration advice.
Renting and You brochure - available in 8 languages
When you arrive in New Zealand it is a good idea to rent a home while you decide where you wish to live. It is important to find out about all your legal rights and responsibilities well before signing a tenancy agreement.
Check out our housing page...
Are you eligible for health care?
A number of migrants have asked us about what health care services are available to new migrants and whether they are eligible to access these services.
Publicly funded services may be fully funded or partly subsidised. Your health or disability service provider will advise you which services they are providing, and whether there may be a part charge for those services.
Do you want to know what health care services you are eligible for? Check out our health page or Complete an online assessment at the Ministry of Health website
