How do I complain about my immigration adviser?
First explain the problem to your adviser and suggest how they could fix it; they must follow their internal complaints procedure. If that does not work, use the IAA complaint form. It is free and does not affect your immigration status, but you cannot complain anonymously. The IAA either closes the complaint with reasons or refers it to the Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal.
Official figures
- Law that regulates immigration advice
- Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 20073
- Who needs a licence
- Anyone giving advice about New Zealand immigration matters must be licensed or exempt3
- Who does not need a licence
- New Zealand lawyers with a current practising certificate (and their employees, as part of their work); some Citizens Advice Bureaux and Community Law Centres; foreign diplomats and consular staff; current MPs and their staff; advisers outside New Zealand who help with student visas only (not work or residence pathways); advice to family or friends that is not given regularly or for a fee1
- Employers, recruiters, education providers and travel agents
- They are not exempt. Without a licence, they can share public information but cannot interpret the rules for your situation or give you immigration advice4
- Applications lodged by unlicensed advisers
- Immigration New Zealand returns applications lodged by people who are not on the register and not exempt3
Official sources
- Who can give advice?Immigration Advisers Authority · iaa.govt.nz
- Working with a licensed immigration adviserImmigration Advisers Authority · iaa.govt.nz
- How immigration advice is regulatedImmigration New Zealand · immigration.govt.nz
- Who needs a licence?Immigration Advisers Authority · iaa.govt.nz
Read the full guide: Immigration advice and visa policy: licensed advisers and how to check them →
People also ask
- How do I check that an immigration agent in New Zealand is legitimate?
- Does an immigration adviser need a licence? Can a lawyer help instead?
- Can my education agent help with a work visa or residence?
- Can my employer or a recruiter give me visa advice?
- What happens if I use an unlicensed adviser for my visa?
- Will reporting an unlicensed adviser affect my visa?
Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
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