Licence status

Current

A licensed immigration adviser with a current licence is permitted to provide immigration advice in line with the code of conduct.

Licences are valid for one year.

Expired

Licences must be renewed annually. If no application to renew the licence is made on or before the licence expiry date, the licence is considered expired. It must then be recorded in the register of licensed immigration advisers.

Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 — Section 33(external link)
New Zealand Legislation 

Surrendered

A licensed adviser can at any time voluntarily surrender that licence by written notice to the Registrar of Immigration Advisers. The surrender takes effect on the date given in the notice or, if no such date is given, on the day the notice is received by the Registrar.

Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 — Section 31(external link)
New Zealand Legislation

Refused

To obtain and hold a licence, advisers will have to meet competency standards, adhere to a code of conduct, pay any relevant fees and/or levies, and be "fit" to practise. An applicant's personal history will be considered, including criminal convictions, immigration offences, bankruptcy or other issues that might make them unsuitable to provide immigration advice and receive a licence.

Should an applicant not meet these conditions, they may be refused a licence (refused applicants have the right to appeal to the Registrar of Immigration Advisers).

All refused applicants must be listed on the register of immigration advisers.

Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 — Section 18-21(external link)
Immigration Adviser Licensing Act 20017 — Section 78(external link)
New Zealand Legislation

Suspended

The Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal can suspend an adviser's licence as a disciplinary measure.

A licence can also be suspended by the Tribunal if all the following conditions are met:

• A complaint has been made against an adviser;
• The complaint has been referred to the Tribunal;
• The complaint is being prepared for submission to the Tribunal; and
• The Tribunal considers that suspension is in the public's best interest.

A person whose licence has been suspended may not apply for a further licence throughout the duration of the suspension.

Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 — Section 29(external link)
New Zealand Legislation

Cancelled

Licences can be cancelled if:

• the licensee is prohibited from holding a licence under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act;
• the licence was granted on the basis of false or fraudulent information;
• the licence or renewal application fee (or Adviser's levy) was paid by means that have subsequently been dishonoured; or
• the licensee has died.

Advisers who breach the code of conduct can also have their licences cancelled by the Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal.

Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 — Section 27(external link)
New Zealand Legislation