Unlicensed immigration advice illegal

The Immigration Advisers Act comes into force today with only 15% of advisers licensed to practice in New Zealand despite two years notice of intent.

Any person providing advice about immigration to New Zealand must now apply for a licence from the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA).

But only a minority of advisers have joined the scheme, "Some advisers have opted not to continue in the industry," admits Barry Smedts, Registrar, IAA.

But, he adds, "The industry is now smaller, more professional and has a higher standard of overall expertise."

Yet the New Zealand Herald reports, that the law change has left some potential immigrants out of pocket to advisers that have balked at the cost of registration, NZ$1995.

In the act's defence, Smedts says, "There's nothing revolutionary about mandatory immigration adviser licensing. The industry has been successfully regulated overseas for years. What we are doing is bringing New Zealand practice in line with competitor nations such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia and that's got to be good for migrants and the New Zealand industry."

Before the new law was passed, anyone could call themselves an adviser, whether or not they were competent to give immigration advice, says the IAA.

Unlicensed agents face fines of up to NZ$100,000, seven years in jail and reparations, but overseas-based immigration advisers have until May 2010 to become licensed.

Comments

[terry graham]

I find this good news as i think the amount of people and there web sites out there are immense (and just want your money) and so can be a mind field to navigate.
With a stamp of recognition from the government this means you can look at the web sites with a little more trust.

[William]

I agree with you Terry. The problem seems to be with some agents that have taken fees without being able to deliver results before the licensing deadline. People have been left out of pocket.

I'm not sure how much this will help with websites since searchers tend not to know what to look for in any case, and many sites are held offshore.