How to check a migration agent number and verify legitimacy

To check a migration agent number, you must verify it against the official register of the relevant regulatory body in the country where the agent operates. There is no single global register; each jurisdiction maintains its own list of licensed or registered migration advisers, and the number format and checking process differ by country. You should never rely on the agent’s own website or promotional materials as proof of registration. Instead, locate the official regulator’s online register, search for the agent’s name or registration number, and confirm that the details match exactly — including the name, the number, and any conditions or limitations attached to the registration. If the agent cannot provide a registration number, or if the number does not appear on the official register, treat that as a significant warning sign and do not proceed with the engagement until you have resolved the discrepancy.

Why the registration number matters

A migration agent number is not a marketing tool; it is a regulatory identifier. Its purpose is to link a specific individual or firm to a set of legal obligations, professional standards, and disciplinary mechanisms. When you verify a number against an official register, you are confirming that the person you are dealing with is authorised to provide immigration advice in that jurisdiction, and that they are subject to oversight.

The importance of this verification cannot be overstated. Unregistered or unlicensed advisers are not bound by the same professional conduct rules. They may not have the required training, they may not carry professional indemnity insurance, and they may not be subject to complaints or disciplinary processes. If something goes wrong with your application — for example, if the adviser provides incorrect information or misses a deadline — you may have limited or no recourse if they are not properly registered.

The registration number also helps you distinguish between different types of advisers. In some jurisdictions, a single register covers all migration advisers. In others, there may be separate categories — for example, lawyers who provide immigration services may be regulated by a different body than dedicated migration agents. The correct register depends on the type of adviser and the country in which they operate.

How to check a migration agent number in New Zealand

If you are using a migration adviser for a New Zealand application, the relevant regulator is the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA). The IAA maintains a public register of licensed immigration advisers. To check a number, you should visit the IAA’s online register and search by the adviser’s name or licence number.

When you search, you should verify the following details:

• The adviser’s full name matches what they have told you.
• The licence number matches exactly.
• The licence is currently active — not expired, suspended, or cancelled.
• Any conditions or limitations on the licence are disclosed.

If the adviser is a lawyer, they may be exempt from IAA licensing, but they must be a practising lawyer in New Zealand. In that case, you should verify their status with the New Zealand Law Society instead.

It is also worth noting that the IAA’s register is the authoritative source. If an adviser tells you they are licensed but they do not appear on the register, or if the number they provide does not match the register’s records, you should not proceed with the engagement. You can also report the matter to the IAA.

How to check a migration agent number in Australia

For Australian migration assistance, the relevant regulator is the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). MARA maintains a public register of registered migration agents. You can search the register online by the agent’s name or registration number.

When you verify a MARA registration, you should confirm:

• The agent’s name matches the register.
• The registration number is correct.
• The registration is current — not expired or cancelled.
• The agent is not subject to any disciplinary action or conditions.

MARA registration is mandatory for anyone providing immigration assistance in Australia, with limited exceptions such as lawyers who are registered with a state or territory law society. If you are using a lawyer for immigration matters, you should verify their legal practising certificate separately.

If an agent claims to be registered but the number does not appear on the MARA register, or if the details do not match, you should not use their services. You can lodge a complaint with MARA about unregistered or non-compliant agents.

How to check a migration agent number in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom does not operate a single migration adviser register in the same way as New Zealand or Australia. Instead, immigration advice is regulated through the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). OISC regulates immigration advisers who are not solicitors or barristers. Solicitors and barristers are regulated by their respective professional bodies — the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB).

To check whether an adviser is regulated by OISC, you should search the OISC register of regulated advisers. The register will show whether the adviser is registered, the level of registration, and any conditions. For solicitors, you can check the SRA’s register of solicitors. For barristers, you can check the BSB’s register.

The key point is that in the UK you must identify which regulator applies to your adviser. If you are using a non-lawyer adviser, they must be registered with OISC. If they are not, they are likely operating unlawfully. You can report unregulated advisers to OISC.

Red flags that suggest an agent may not be legitimate

Beyond checking the registration number itself, there are several warning signs that should make you cautious about any migration adviser. These are not definitive proof of wrongdoing, but they warrant further investigation before you commit to the engagement.

• The adviser cannot or will not provide a registration number when asked.
• The number they provide does not appear on the official register.
• The name on the register does not match the name of the person or firm you are dealing with.
• The adviser asks you to pay fees directly to a personal bank account rather than a business account.
• The adviser guarantees outcomes, such as promising that your visa will be approved.
• The adviser pressures you to make decisions quickly or to provide documents that you are uncomfortable providing.
• The adviser discourages you from contacting the official regulator or from verifying their credentials.

If you encounter any of these signs, you should pause the engagement and verify the adviser’s status independently. Do not rely on the adviser’s own explanation of why the register does not show them. If the official record does not confirm the adviser’s claims, that is the answer.

What to do if the number does not check out

If you have attempted to verify a migration agent number and the details do not match the official register, you should take the following steps:

1. Stop all communication and do not make any further payments to the adviser.
2. Do not provide any additional personal documents or information.
3. Contact the relevant regulator to confirm whether the adviser is registered and to report any concerns.
4. If you have already paid money, seek advice on recovering it. This may involve contacting your bank or card provider, or seeking legal advice.
5. Consider whether your visa application has been affected. If the adviser has already submitted an application on your behalf, you may need to contact the relevant immigration authority directly to discuss the situation.

It is important to act promptly. The longer you wait, the more difficult it may become to address any issues arising from the adviser’s conduct. Regulators take complaints about unregistered advisers seriously, and reporting the matter can also help protect other applicants from the same problem.

What to verify on the official page

The exact process for checking a migration agent number varies by jurisdiction, so you should always start with the official regulator’s website. The table below summarises the key regulators and what you should look for.

Country	Regulator	What to verify
New Zealand	Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA)	Licence number, name, active status, conditions
Australia	Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA)	Registration number, name, current status, disciplinary history
United Kingdom	Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) for advisers; Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or Bar Standards Board (BSB) for lawyers	Registration status, level of registration, conditions

Before you engage any migration adviser, verify their registration number on the relevant official register. If you cannot find them, or if the details do not match, do not proceed. The register is the only authoritative source of information about whether an adviser is authorised to act for you.