The Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 requires that anyone providing immigration advice is licensed, unless exempt.
To view the register of licensed immigration advisers, go to www.iaa.govt.nz.
To view practising immigration lawyers, go to the ‘Find a lawyer or organisation’ link on the New Zealand Law Society website.
The following individuals are exempt from the requirement to be licensed.
A person is exempt if they provided immigration advice in an informal or family context only, where the advice was not provided systematically or for a fee.
A person is exempt if they are a New Zealand member of Parliament or a member of their staff who provided immigration advice as part of their employment agreement.
A person is exempt if they are a foreign diplomat or consular staff accorded protection as such under the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1968 or the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1971.
A person is exempt if they are an employee of the New Zealand public service who provided immigration advice within the scope of their employment agreement.
A person is exempt if they are a lawyer who holds a current practising certificate as a barrister or as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
A person is exempt if they are employed by or working as a volunteer for a New Zealand community law centre where at least one lawyer is on the employing body of the community law centre or is employed by or working as a volunteer for the community law centre in a supervisory capacity.
A person is exempt if they are a person employed by or working as a volunteer for a New Zealand citizens advice bureau.
A person is exempt if they provide immigration advice offshore in relation to applications or potential applications for student visas only.
