The New Zealand government has officially launched the Immigration Advisors Authority, accompanied by new legislation whereby all agents offering advice on migration to the country must hold a valid licence to do so.

In recent years, concerns have been voiced over the varying quality of advice offered by migration advisors in New Zealand, particularly in cases whereby potential migrants have been at a severe disadvantage due to poor or fraudulent immigration advice.

In the past, migration applicants have suffered serious financial loss due to high fees and unsuccessful migration applications. Peoples’ careers have also been dealt serious blows and families have become dislocated, all as a direct result of receiving unreliable advice from unscrupulous would-be migration agents.

Immigration Minister Clayton Cosgrove announced the launch of the new law at the New Zealand parliament in Wellington on 5 May, announcing:

“Under the new law, anyone who provides advice about New Zealand immigration matters will have to be licensed (unless they are exempt). By making Immigration Advisers a regulated profession, the Act seeks to protect new and potential migrants. It also supports Advisers who work ethically and within the law, and therefore enhances the reputation and integrity of New Zealand’s entire immigration system.

“I cannot stress enough what an important change this is for the whole sector. Before the new law was passed, anyone could call themselves an Adviser, whether or not they were competent to give immigration advice. The actions of some dodgy operators caused serious harm to a number of migrants, and these “cowboys” also damaged the reputations of legitimate, professional Advisers.”

The licensing of immigrations advisors will also ensure that all lawful practices are supported and can provide their clients with reliable help, advice and information covering the various stages involved in applying for a New Zealand skilled visa.

To get and keep a license, Advisers will have to prove their immigration expertise by meeting competency standards. Licensed Advisers will also have to adhere to a code of conduct, which will increase industry-wide professionalism and ethical behavior.

Penalties for fraudulent of unlicensed migration practices will be stiff. Licensed advisors who fail to adhere to the strict code of conduct face fines of up to NZ$10,000 as well as the possibility of up to two years in jail. Unlicensed agents providing migration advice can be sentenced to up to seven years in prison with a maximum fine for NZ$100,000.

Richard Gregan, MD of OE Visas, the UK’s longest serving Migration Company for NZ, commented:

“The industry needs measure like these to clamp down on the unaccountable rouge traders who seek to make a quick buck out of the UK’s migrating public”.