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Offshore immigration advisers will need licenses
The Immigration Advisers Authority is urging immigration advisers based offshore to prepare their adviser licensing applications and send them to the Authority as soon as possible to make sure they continue to operate lawfully. The Authority and Immigration New Zealand branches around the world are also working hard to promote the adviser licensing message before it becomes mandatory offshore on 4 May.
Anyone provide immigration advice offshore about New Zealand immigration matters must be licensed by 4 May 2010 unless they fall into one of the exempt categories. For offshore advisers, the most likely exemption is people who give immigration advice on student permit and visa applications only.
People who are currently working as offshore immigration advisers should be aware by now that Immigration New Zealand will refuse to accept applications lodged by applicants using an unlicensed immigration adviser after 4 May. Any application received offshore before 4 May will be processed as normal. If the date stamp on the application is 4 May 2010 onwards then the Act applies.
One of the primary motivators for licensing is to ensure migrants have confidence in the standard of immigration advice they receive.
Licensed advisers will be able to show their clients and prospective clients that they meet New Zealand government quality standards and migrants will be able to reassure themselves that they are dealing with a licensed immigration adviser by asking to see the adviser's photo ID card.
Licensing provides certainty for migrants and a professional, supported community for licensed advisers. Licensing offshore advisers ensures everyone seeking to migrate to New Zealand can be confident of receiving a high level of professional service.
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