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A cleansing chance for Immigration

Immigration may be a lucrative business but anyone attempting to offer or provide services without obtaining a proper licence from the Registrar of Immigration Advisers would come to grief sooner than later.

The Office of the Registrar, based in Auckland, is an independent authority, established three years ago to follow a licensing regime and monitor the quality of service provided by Immigration Advisers.

The Labour Government initiated and enforced the ‘Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007’ covering immigration consultants and advisers providing related service. The Act came into force for New Zealand based immigration advisers on May 4, 2009 and covered their overseas counterparts a year later.

Lawyers and barristers practicing immigration are exempt from this requirement, since they are required to obtain a Licence to practice law and are governed by the New Zealand Law Society or its affiliates in the country.

Officials at Citizens Advisory Bureaux are also exempt from the Rule.

A large number of migrants from India and Fiji, who have faced hardships dealing with shoddy agents in the past, would appreciate the new system.

An official Survey conducted last year found that less than 3% of the applicants had sought the services of unlicensed immigration advisers. Since the introduction of the licensing system, Immigration New Zealand does not entertain applications filed by unauthorised or unlicensed agents.

Licensees only

Registrar of Immigration Advisers Barry Smedts said many people routinely proffered advice to potential immigrants or those in need of a service.

“It is not surprising that many migrants are interested in a career as an immigration adviser, as their own migration experience gives them plenty of insight into the potential traps facing prospective migrants,” he said.

He however warned that it was illegal for anyone to undertake immigration activities without a license to deal with Immigration New Zealand or with other Government agencies from anywhere in the world.

New Zealand licensed Immigration Advisers do not have to be New Zealand citizens or residents, but must have lawful status to work in the country where they do business, he said.

Licensed immigration advisers do not complain about either the 60-page application booklet or the stringent procedures that are in force. They say that the new procedure has largely kept dishonest and unscrupulous agents out of the system.

“Licences are granted to individuals and not firms, renewable every year. There is little chance of foul play,” they said.

Provisional Providers

While licences are issued to those with proven record of service in the industry, the law provides for issue of a ‘Provisional Licence’ to people without experience.

“Provisional licences are the appropriate pathway for new entrants to the profession. But they must pass the fitness criteria and adequately answer questions from case studies, to prove that they have an understanding of immigration laws, operational instructions and the immigration process, before qualifying for the provisional licence,” Mr Smedts said.

However, Indian Newslink understands that corruption has been on the rise within Immigration New Zealand and that some officials routinely expect or demand money from agents or applicants to have their applications processed quickly and in their favour. They are clearly perpetrating acts of impropriety and fraud but remain beyond the jurisdiction of the Registrar of Immigration Advisers.

If you have a complaint against a licensed immigration adviser in New Zealand or overseas, you could contact the Registrar of Immigration Advisers on 0508422422 or (09) 9253838 Email: info@iaa.govt.nz

You could also write to editor@indiannewslink.co.nz

Read our Editorial, The Challenge of cleansing Immigration

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