How to Find a Licensed Immigration Adviser in New Zealand

To find a migration agent in New Zealand, you must use a licensed immigration adviser or an exempt person. The official way to find a licensed adviser is through the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) register, which lists advisers who are licensed to give immigration advice. You should always verify an adviser’s licence before engaging them, and you can check the register on the IAA website. If you use an unlicensed person, you risk receiving poor advice and having no recourse if something goes wrong.

Why you must use a licensed adviser

New Zealand law restricts who can give immigration advice. Only licensed immigration advisers, or people who are exempt, can provide advice on visa applications. This is a legal requirement, not a recommendation. If you use an unlicensed adviser, you may not be protected if they give you incorrect information or mishandle your application.

The Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) is the government body that licenses and regulates immigration advisers. It maintains a public register of licensed advisers, and it also handles complaints against advisers who breach the code of conduct. The IAA’s role is to protect consumers of immigration advice, and its register is the primary tool for finding a legitimate adviser.

How to check if an adviser is licensed

The IAA publishes an online register of licensed immigration advisers. You can search this register to confirm that a person is currently licensed and to see their licence number, the scope of their licence, and any conditions attached to it. A licence number is not proof of current licensing on its own — you should check the register to confirm the licence is active and has not been suspended or cancelled.

When you search the register, look for the following details:

• The adviser’s full name and business name.
• Their licence number and the date the licence was granted.
• The scope of their licence — some advisers are licensed only for certain types of applications.
• Any conditions, such as restrictions on the types of advice they can give.

If you cannot find the person on the register, or if the details do not match, do not use them. You should also be wary of anyone who claims to be an adviser but cannot provide a licence number that appears on the register.

What to ask a prospective adviser

Before you engage an adviser, ask them directly about their licence and their experience. A licensed adviser should be willing to provide their licence number and confirm their registration status. You can also ask about their fees, their process, and how they will communicate with you.

It is reasonable to ask an adviser to explain their fees in writing before you commit. You should also ask whether they have experience with your specific visa type, as some advisers specialise in certain categories. The adviser should be able to tell you what documents you will need and how long the process is likely to take, though they cannot guarantee an outcome.

What to do if you have a problem with an adviser

If you are unhappy with the advice you received, or you believe an adviser has breached the code of conduct, you can complain to the Immigration Advisers Authority. The IAA can investigate complaints against licensed advisers and take disciplinary action if the adviser has broken the rules. Complaints must be made in writing, and you should include details of the adviser’s conduct and any documents that support your claim.

The IAA’s complaint process is separate from Immigration New Zealand’s visa decision process. A complaint about an adviser does not affect your visa application, but it can result in the adviser being fined, suspended, or having their licence cancelled. If you have been given incorrect advice that caused your application to be declined, you should also consider whether you need to seek independent legal advice.

Exempt persons who can give immigration advice

Some people are exempt from the requirement to be licensed. These include lawyers who are practising in New Zealand, and people who provide advice as part of their employment with a recognised organisation. If you use an exempt person, you should still check their credentials. A lawyer, for example, is regulated by the New Zealand Law Society, and you can verify their practising status through that body.

Exempt persons are not on the IAA register, so you cannot check them there. If someone claims to be exempt, ask them to explain the basis of their exemption. You should not assume that a person is exempt simply because they say they are.

Where to find official information

The most reliable source of information about immigration advisers is the Immigration Advisers Authority website. It contains the register of licensed advisers, information about the licensing process, and guidance on how to complain. The IAA is the only body that can confirm whether a person is licensed to give immigration advice in New Zealand.

Immigration New Zealand’s website also provides general information about visa applications and the process of moving to New Zealand. It does not recommend or endorse any private adviser, and it will not tell you which adviser to use. You should use the IAA register to find an adviser, and you should use Immigration New Zealand’s official pages to verify visa requirements and processing times.

What to do next

Before you engage any adviser, take the following steps:

1. Search the IAA register to confirm the adviser is currently licensed.
2. Ask the adviser for their licence number and confirm it matches the register.
3. Ask for their fees in writing and confirm what services they will provide.
4. Check whether they have experience with your visa type.
5. If you have a problem, complain to the IAA in writing.

You should also verify the visa requirements yourself on Immigration New Zealand’s official website. An adviser can guide you, but you are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of your application. The official pages for visa processing times and application requirements are the authoritative sources, and you should check them directly rather than relying solely on an adviser’s summary.