News
Keep up to date with news from the Immigration Advisers Authority.
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December 2024 Newsletter
In this issue:
- Upgrade to Immigration Advisers Authority register coming soon
- Webinar Questions
- Proactive Compliance Inspection Programme
- Statutes Amendment Bill update
- Tribunal decisions
And more -
Upgrade to Immigration Advisers Authority register coming soon
An upgrade is coming 3 February 2025 to the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) online portal.
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New series to help businesses unmask cyber crime
Small businesses are the target for nearly half of all cyber crime in Aotearoa, with one in three experiencing at least one cyber attack. But less than half of business owners say they are prepared for an online incident.
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Unlicensed immigration adviser sentenced to jail
A repeat offender who provided immigration advice while being unlicensed and, and in some cases, received some payment from his clients, has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison on 9 October 2024 and ordered to pay three of his victims a
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September 2024 newsletter
In this issue:
- A year in numbers (2023-2024)
- Tips to improve supervision of provisional licence holders
- Licensed Immigration Adviser fined and prevented from reapplying for licence for 2 years
- Update from INZ: Accredited Employer Work Visa -
Licensed Immigration Adviser fined and prevented from reapplying for licence for 2 years
Licensed Immigration Adviser John Lawlor has been censured and prevented from reapplying for any licence for a period of 2 years.
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July 2024 newsletter
In this issue:
- Amendments to the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007
- Job Vacancy – Senior Technical Advisor
- Taking parental leave and your licence
- IAA Complaint Form -
April 2024 newsletter
In this issue:
- Recent investigation trends and most common breaches
- Webinar reminder: Client engagement and rubber-stamping
- Message from INZ – Fake visas circulating
- Provide your feedback on the Graduate Diploma in NZ Immigration Advice -
December 2023 newsletter
In this issue:
- What do Migrant trends tell us?
- IAA webinar 3: Link to recording
- GDNZIA Industry Partnership Group -
2022-2023 Migrant survey results
Survey of New Zealand visa applicants who have used an Immigration Adviser 2022-23. Conducted for the Immigration Advisers Authority by GravitasOPG.
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November 2023 newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
IAA Webinar 2: Client files
Tribunal Decisions
Message from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
2022-2023 Migrant survey results -
Client Survey Reminder
You will have received an email with a link to our client survey especially for Licensed Immigration Advisers. We run this survey every two years and really value the feedback you provide us through this.
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September 2023 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
A Year in Numbers (2022-2023)
Migrant exploitation
Webinar Announcement
Tribunal Decisions -
Former Licensed Immigration Adviser convicted following MBIE investigation
A former Licensed Immigration Adviser has been sentenced to 6-months community detention and 100 hours community service after he was found guilty of breaching the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 (the Act).
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June 2023 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
Licensing matters
Tribunal decisions
Webinar recording -
April 2023 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
Charging premiums for jobs
Sentencing outcome: Alvarado Molina
Tribunal decisions
Visa applicant survey
Update from Te Pūkenga | Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Licensing matters
Webinar Announcement -
March 2023 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
Tribunal decisions
Reasonable fees: Guidelines
Update from Toi Ohomai/ Te Pūkenga
Former licensed immigration adviser convicted
Licensing matters -
Former licensed Immigration Adviser convicted, puts visa applicant at risk
Former Auckland based licensed immigration adviser, Gregory Francisco Smith, who continued to provide immigration advice without a licence, was convicted and sentenced last week at the Manukau District Court.
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December 2022 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
Authority closure dates
Update from Toi Ohomai
Licensing matters
Tribunal decisions
Visa applicant survey -
October 2022 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
Update from Toi Ohomai
Licensing matters
Can a migrant be compelled to engage a specific adviser?
Tribunal decisions
IAA Webinar 3 -
August 2022 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
A Year in Numbers (2021-2022)
Licensing Matters
IAA Webinar 2
Tribunal Decisions
Gravitas Migrant Survey (2022/2023) -
June 2022 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
Message from Toi Ohomai
Message from the Overseas Investment Office
Immigration Advisers Authority social media campaign
Prosecution for unlicensed advice
Tribunal decisions -
Church pastor’s wife sentenced for providing illegal immigration advice
The wife of a church pastor who charged hundreds of dollars from visa applicants for all the applications she lodged on their behalf, has been sentenced in the Auckland District Court for providing immigration advice illegally.
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April 2022 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
2022 Webinars
Message from Toi Ohomai
Licensing matters
IAA Social Media campaign -
February 2022 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from Registrar
New adviser resources
Tribunal decisions -
December 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from Registrar
Authority closure dates
Update from Toi Ohomai
November 2021 Webinar recording now available
‘Immigration advice’ on online platforms
Managing clients during Covid – a discussion on best practice
Tribunal -
2021 Migrant survey results
Survey of New Zealand visa applicants who have used an Immigration Adviser 2021. Conducted for the Immigration Advisers Authority by GravitasOPG.
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November 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
2021 Licensed Immigration Advisers Reference Group
Contacting the Authority
CPD verification records
2021 Migrant survey
Managing clients during Covid – a discussion on best practice
Tribunal decision -
Reference group minutes, 4 October 2021
Reference group minutes, 4 October 2021, 2pm – 4pm. Via Zoom
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September 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
2020/21- A year in numbers
2021 Licensed Immigration Advisers Reference Group
Webinars
Message from Toi Ohomai
Message from Employment New Zealand
Licensing matters -
Reference group minutes, 2 August 2021
Reference group minutes, 2 August 2021, 2pm – 3.30pm. Via Zoom
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June 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
2021 Licensed Immigration Advisers Reference Group
Webinars
Adviser survey - Tell us about your experiences
Message from Employment New Zealand
Licensing matters
New/Revised Resources
Prosecution for unlicensed immigration advice -
Company director sentenced to community detention and ordered to pay $74,703 for immigration advice provided without license
A Christchurch woman, whose company provided immigration advice to migrants, has been convicted and sentenced to six months community detention and ordered to repay a total of $74,703, following two charges laid by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA)
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Reference group minutes, 4 May 2021
Reference group minutes, 4 May 2021, 2pm - 4pm. Via Zoom
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April 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
2021 Licensed Immigration Advisers Reference Group
Visa applicant survey
GDNZIA industry placements
Resources
Privacy Act 2020 and Clause 26 of the Code of Conduct 2014
Licensing matters
Tribunal decisions -
Visa applicant survey to begin late April
Results for the 2018/2019 visa applicants survey
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Impacted services: RealMe login outage
RealMe services are being upgraded from 9pm Friday 9 April to 9pm Sunday 11 April. Online services requiring Realme login will be unavailable during this time.
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2019 Migrant survey results
Survey of New Zealand visa applicants who have used an Immigration Adviser 2018/2019. Conducted for the Immigration Advisers Authority by Premium Research.
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February 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
2021 Licensed Immigration Advisers Reference Group
Obligations to notify change in circumstances
Licensing matters
Tribunal decisions -
December 2020 Newsletter
In this issue:
Update from Toi Ohomai
Licensing matters
Tribunal decisions -
2021 Reference Group Update - Invitations for Expressions of Interest
Further to our announcement in the October Newsletter, we now invite expressions of interest from licensed immigration advisers to join our 2021 Reference Group. This is open to both New Zealand and overseas based advisers.
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October 2020 Newsletter
In this issue:
Update from Toi Ohomai
Upcoming webinar
Licensing matters
CPD: attending a mandatory webinar
Industry groups
Resources
Reference Group matters
The Authority in the media
Tribunal decisions -
Reference group minutes, 16 September 2020
Reference group minutes, 16 September 2020, 1pm - 2pm. Via Zoom
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Home detention, community work, and large fine for company director providing unlicensed immigration advice
An Auckland man has been fined and sentenced to six months home detention and 200 hours community work, and his company fined and ordered to repay victims for providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt, and asking for or receiving a fee
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COVID-19 Update
Current alert level will depend on where you are in New Zealand. For the latest information, visit the Government’s COVID-19 website.
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August 2020 Newsletter
In this issue:
COVID 19 Update - IAA Head Office closed
2020 Reference group update
Licensing matters
Tribunal Decisions -
Reference group minutes, 29 July 2020
Reference group minutes, 29 July 2020, 1pm - 3pm. Via Zoom
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July 2020 Newsletter
In this issue:
Prosecution for unlicensed immigration advice
2020 Licensed Immigration Adviser Reference Group
New FAQs section on website
Reminders for licensing and investigations matters
Webinars
Tribunal Decisions -
Reference group minutes, 24 June 2020
Reference group minutes, Wednesday 24 June 2020, 1pm - 3pm. Via Zoom
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Unlicensed immigration adviser sentenced to community detention
North Shore businessman Peter Woodberg has been sentenced to six months community detention, 12 months supervision and ordered to pay $5600 reparation to victims, following his guilty plea to three representative charges laid by the IAA for providing immi
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May 2020 Newsletter
In this issue:
Message from the Registrar
2020 Reference group update
Updates from Toi Ohomai
Licensing matters
Tribunal decisions -
March 2020 Newsletter
In this issue:
COVID-19 Update -
February 2020 Newsletter
In this issue:
2020 Licensed Immigration Adviser Reference Group
Updates from Toi Ohomai
Licensing Matters
Webinars
Tribunal decisions -
January 2020 Newsletter
In this issue:
Join the 2020 Licensed Immigration Adviser Reference Group
Toolkits available on IAA website
Numbers of Licensed Immigration Advisers
Tribunal decisions -
December 2019 Newsletter
In this issue:
Join the 2020 Licensed Immigration Adviser Reference Group
Updates from Toi Ohomai
New Employee rights module from Employment New Zealand for employees
Tribunal decisions -
November 2019 Newsletter
IAA Webinars
Addressing the exploitation of temporary migrant workers
What happens when the Authority receives a complaint about a licensed adviser?
IAA in the media
Tribunal decisions -
Unlicensed immigration adviser sentenced to home detention
Timothy Joseph Spooner has been sentenced to 4 months home detention and ordered to pay $7050 reparation to victims following his guilty plea in May to five charges laid by the IAA for providing advice to immigrants when neither licensed nor exempt.
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September 2019 Newsletter
IAA Webinars
Employment Learning Modules
Not-for-profit scholarship – Toi Ohomai
Tribunal decisions -
Unlicensed immigration adviser pleads not guilty to 13 offences of giving unlicensed advice
Peter Woodberg has been charged with 13 offences by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) for knowingly providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt. The alleged offending included advising clients to mislead New Zealand authorities.
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August 2019 Newsletter
IAA Webinars
IAA in the media
Survey of the clients of advisers
Tribunal decisions -
Unlicensed immigration adviser charged with 13 offences
An Auckland based business man has been charged with 13 offences by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) for knowingly providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt.
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July 2019 newsletter
IAA Webinars
Tribunal decisions -
June 2019 newsletter
Immigration Contact Centre – Adviser trusted line
IAA Webinars
IAA in the media
Tribunal decisions -
Education providers reminded about immigration advice laws
The Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) has visited more than 20 education providers in the past week, reminding them of the laws around providing immigration advice for New Zealand.
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Reference group minutes, 22 May 2019
Reference group minutes, Wednesday 22 May 2019, 10:15am - 3pm. Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) Board Room, Level 2, 52 Symonds Street, Auckland.
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Unlicensed immigration adviser pleads guilty
An Auckland man has pleaded guilty to five charges laid by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA), four representative counts of providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt, and one representative charge of asking for or receiving a fe
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May 2019 newsletter
Supervisors intending to supervise new provisional licensees
IAA Webinars
Immigration Law Conference 2019
Interested in work placements – information from Toi Ohomai
Tribunal decisions -
April 2019 newsletter
IAA plans for mandatory CPD
IAA client survey
Tribunal decisions -
Reference group minutes, 20 March 2019
Reference group minutes, Wednesday 20 March 2019, 10:15am – 3pm. Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) Board Room, Level 2, 52 Symonds Street, Auckland
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March 2019 newsletter
Licensed Advisers Reference Group
IAA Webinars 2019
IAA in the media
Tribunal decisions to view
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Unlicensed immigration advice in the Pacific community leads to community work sentence
An Auckland woman from the Tongan community has been sentenced to 250 hours community work after pleading guilty to charges of unlawful immigration advice.
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February 2019 Newsletter
Anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism rules
Tribunal decisions -
December 2018 newsletter
Interested in taking on a student work placement in 2019?
2018 webinars available to view
Tribunal decisions to view -
November 2018 newsletter
IAA in the media
Looking to be a supervisor?
2019 industry places on the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice
Graduate Diploma not-for profit Scholarship
Tribunal decisions
Join the 2019 Licensed Immigration Adviser Reference Group -
Education agent pleads guilty to four charges of unlawful immigration advice
The director of an Auckland based education placement service for international students has been handed down a commuted sentence of nine months home detention, after pleading guilty to four charges of unlawful immigration advice.
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New Registrar appointed
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is pleased to announce it has appointed Andrew Galloway to the position of Registrar of the Immigration Advisers Authority.
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Reference group minutes, 7 August 2018
Reference group minutes, Wednesday 7 August 2018, 10:15am – 3pm. Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) Board Room, Level 2, 52 Symonds Street, Auckland
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September 2018 newsletter
IAA launches information campaign in India
Reference group
New look Licence Certificates
2018 mandatory CPD
Your written agreement must reflect how you will charge your client in practice
Tribunal decisions -
August 2018 newsletter
What can you do to reduce the use of unlawful advice?
2018 mandatory CPD
Looking to be a supervisor?
Did you know...? Backup supervisor
Tribunal decisions -
July 2018 newsletter
Annual survey of licensed immigration advisers
ANZ Migrant Expo
South America campaign
Financial year end
2018 mandatory CPD
Looking to be a supervisor?
You can report migrant exploitation
Tribunal decisions -
Reference group minutes, 23 May 2018
Reference group minutes, Wednesday 23 May 2018, 10:15am – 3pm. Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) Board Room, Level 2, 52 Symonds Street, Auckland
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Looking for Immigration advice?
New Zealand’s Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) has launched a campaign to help Brazilians, Chileans and Colombians looking to live or work in New Zealand know what to do when seeking immigration advice.
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Looking for Immigration advice? (Español)
La Autoridad de Asesoría Migratoria (Immigration Advisers Authority, IAA) de Nueva Zelanda ha lanzado una campaña para ayudar a que los brasileros, chilenos y colombianos que estén considerando vivir o trabajar en Nueva Zelanda sepan qué deben hacer para
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Looking for Immigration advice? (Português)
A Autoridade de Consultores de Imigração (Immigration Advisers Authority, IAA) da Nova Zelândia lançou uma campanha para ajudar brasileiros, chilenos e colombianos pensando em morar ou trabalhar na Nova Zelândia a procurar orientação sobre como imigrar.
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June 2018 newsletter
Annual survey of licensed immigration advisers
Increased IAA funding package
IAA in the media
Industry places on the Graduate Diploma
Interested in taking on a student work placement in semester two?
2018 mandatory CPD
Tribunal decisions -
May 2018 newsletter
10 years of immigration adviser licensing
Lessons from inspections
Avoiding unlicensed advice in your business
2018 mandatory CPD
Tribunal decisions -
Reference group minutes, 21 March 2018
Reference group minutes, Wednesday 21 March 2018, 10:15am – 3pm. Immigration Advisers Authority, Level 2, 52 Symonds Street, Auckland
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April 2018 newsletter
How long does the IAA take to process licence applications?
Planning your CPD
Tribunal decisions
How do I update my details?
2018 mandatory CPD -
Woman pleads guilty to three charges of unlawful immigration advice
An Auckland woman has pleaded guilty to three charges laid by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) of unlawfully asking for a fee for immigration advice, and taking payment, from four of her family members and friends in the Tongan community.
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Unlicensed immigration adviser prosecuted for multiple offences
A 65-year old Auckland man has been charged by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) with multiple counts of giving immigration advice without being licensed or exempt, holding out to be a licensed immigration adviser, and unlawfully taking payment.
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March 2018 newsletter
March 2018 snapshot
Announcing the 2018 reference group
IAA working with the education sector
IAA in the media
Supervision toolkit update
Have you got your mandatory CPD lined up?
Resources on employment rights
Interested in student work placement -
Supporting the construction sector to get the right immigration advice
New Zealand immigration advice can only be provided by a licensed immigration adviser or exempt person.
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Unlicensed woman charged with asking for fee for immigration advice
A 31-year-old Auckland woman appeared today in the Manukau District Court charged with unlawfully asking for a fee for immigration advice and taking payment from four family members and friends in the Tongan community.
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Education agent charged for unlicensed immigration advice
A 47-year-old Auckland woman has appeared in the Auckland District Court today charged with unlawfully providing immigration advice and taking fees for the advice from seven Chinese nationals.
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February 2018 newsletter
Join the 2018 Licensed Immigration Adviser Reference Group
Introducing mandatory CPD
Interested in taking on a student work placement in 2018?
Are you using the Trademark correctly...?
2018 census is coming
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Reference group minutes, 29 November 2017
Reference group minutes, Wednesday 29 November 2017, 10:15am – 3pm. Immigration Advisers Authority, Level 2, 52 Symonds Street, Auckland
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December 2017 newsletter
Auckland woman sentenced
Thanks to 2017 Reference and Qualification Steering Groups
Looking to upgrade your licence?
Introducing mandatory CPD
Interested in taking on a student work placement
International student campaign now on
2017 webinars -
Migrants satisfied with licensed immigration advisers worldwide
More than eight out of 10 migrants surveyed are satisfied with the quality of service they received from licensed immigration advisers located in New Zealand as well as overseas, says Registrar of the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) Catherine Albi
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Unlicensed immigration adviser sentenced to home detention
An Auckland woman of Tongan nationality has been sentenced to 10 months home detention and ordered to pay reparation of $6,420 for illegally providing New Zealand immigration advice in the Tongan community. The sentence came after the woman pleaded
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Review of English Language Standard 2016
The English language standard for licensed immigration advisers was reviewed in 2016.
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November 2017 newsletter
Introducing mandatory CPD
Philippines and India campaigns update
IAA Online enhancements now live
2017 webinars
2018 industry places on the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice
Graduate Diploma Not-for profit Scholarship -
October 2017 newsletter
Migrant Survey Results are in
Philippines campaign launches
What can you do to reduce the use of unlawful advice?
2017 webinars
Industry places on the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice
Graduate Diploma Not-for profit Scholarship -
Supporting Filipinos to get the right immigration advice
New Zealand is a popular destination for Filipino migrants, to visit, work, live or even study. In 2016, Immigration New Zealand approved over 17,000 visitors visas, 14,300 work visas and 3,800 student visas from the Philippines.
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IAA tells Filipinos - "check your immigration adviser is licensed or exempt"
Registrar of the New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) Catherine Albiston will be in the Philippines next week raising awareness of the importance of only using licensed or exempt advisers when seeking New Zealand immigration advice.
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2017 Migrant survey results
Survey of New Zealand visa applicants who have used an Immigration Adviser 2016/2017. Conducted for the Immigration Advisers Authority by Premium Research.
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Reference group minutes, 26 July 2017
Reference group minutes, Wednesday 26 July 2017, 10:15am – 3pm. Immigration Advisers Authority, Level 2, 52 Symonds Street, Auckland
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September 2017 newsletter
Auckland woman pleads guilty to 14 charges
Supervision news
2017 Reference Group update
2017 webinars
Graduate Diploma Not-for profit Scholarship
Careers NZ Work Connect programme for migrants -
Auckland woman admits guilt
An Auckland woman of Tongan nationality has pleaded guilty to 14 charges laid by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) for illegally providing New Zealand immigration advice.
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August 2017 newsletter
$7,000 fine imposed for unlicensed immigration advice
IAA adviser survey results
New 2017 webinars
Getting our message right at VACs
Looking to be a supervisor?
Did you know...? You can report migrant exploitation -
Reference group minutes, 31 May 2017
Reference group minutes, Wednesday 31 May 2017, 10:15am – 3:00pm. Immigration Advisers Authority, Level 2, 52 Symonds Street, Auckland
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$7,000 fine imposed after three-year immigration advice case
An Auckland woman must pay a fine of $7,000 after an Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) investigation into her history of providing immigration advice through a radio broadcast programme without a licence.
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July 2017 newsletter
International student campaign
Are you communicating directly with your client?
Taking over clients... Did you know?
Student work placements
Overseas People Buying Land and Other Assets in New Zealand
Webinar recordings -
Auckland woman faces 22 charges for providing illegal immigration advice
The Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) has laid a total of 22 charges against an Auckland woman of Tongan nationality for illegally providing New Zealand immigration advice.
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Graduating soon?
International students studying in New Zealand might be considering ‘what next’ and looking at what visa options they or their families have in New Zealand.
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Reference group minutes, 29 March 2017
Reference group minutes, Wednesday 29 March 2017, 10:15 am - 3:00 pm. Immigration Advisers Authority, Level 2, 52 Symonds Street, Auckland
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June 2017 newsletter
International student campaign
2017 Adviser input
Student work placements
Are you communicating well with your client?
Initial consultations…. Did you know?
Code of Conduct Toolkit links working!
Webinar recordings
Consumer Rights Day case studies -
May 2017 newsletter
Continuing professional development opportunities
Webinar recordings
Identifying conflicts of interest
Student work placements
Industry places on the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice -
April 2017 newsletter
How do work placements work?
Working with education agents
2017 Webinars
Webinar recordings
Christchurch Consumer Rights Day
Pasifika 2017
Professional standards leaflets
Industry places on the Graduate Diploma
How long does it take...? -
Travel Agents warned not to risk unlawful immigration advice
The New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) has launched a campaign to inform South African travel agents about what immigration assistance they can legally provide in response to New Zealand's visitor visa change for South African nationals.
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March 2017 newsletter
2017 IAA Reference Group
2017 Qualification Steering Group
2017 Webinars
The limits of New Zealand immigration advice webinar recording
2017 Consumer Survey
What happens when the unexpected happens?
Did you know...?
Tribunal decisions