A couple from New Caledonia have had their lives thrown into turmoil since Immigration New Zealand informed them that they cannot remain in the country.

Roger and Josiane Martin, who have battled to secure a long-term business visa, have finally had their application rejected despite their seven-year stay in New Zealand and the large amount of money they have invested in the country since moving from New Caledonia, even paying cash upfront for their Auckland home.

According to Mr Martin, the fiasco began when he and his wife began the New Zealand visa application process through a bogus agent who set up a company for them despite the couple only having visitors’ permits. The agent took the Martins’ money and failed to deliver a service.

New Zealand’s Immigration Service strongly recommends the use of reputable registered migration agents and acknowledges that the use of dodgy agents accounts for a high percentage of migrants whose New Zealand skilled visas are turned down regardless of their circumstances. They say that a process is currently underway to license migration advisors to protect the likes of the Martins.