2011-Jun 03: Scanned signatures from immigration advisers and lawyers exempt from licensing

Visa Pak 19 - Information about accepting scanned signatures from immigration advisers and lawyers exempt from licensing

Visa Paks

03 June 2011

Scanned signatures from immigration advisers and lawyers exempt from licensing under Section 11 of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 (lawyers exempt from licensing).

Feedback has made us aware of significant delays faced by applicants represented by immigration advisers and lawyers exempt from licensing based in a different country from the applicant.

For example, where an immigration adviser is based in New Zealand, representing an applicant applying from the UK, the application form would have to be sent from the UK to New Zealand for the immigration adviser to sign, then back again to the UK for lodgement.

This process can cause significant delays.

A new process has been developed to allow scanned signatures to be provided in some circumstances from immigration advisers or lawyers exempt from licensing:

  • In order to be acceptable for the purposes of lodgement a scanned signature must only be provided by a licensed immigration adviser, or lawyer exempt from licensing.
  • Scanned signatures must only be accepted where applicants are applying from a country other than the country the immigration adviser or lawyer exempt from licensing is based and where obtaining an original signature from the immigration adviser or lawyer exempt from licensing would cause significant delay.

 

1. The following process must be complied with:
i. The original application form is scanned and sent to the immigration adviser or lawyer exempt from licensing.
ii. The immigration adviser or lawyer exempt from licensing provides their signature (and date).
iii. The immigration adviser or lawyer exempt from licensing sends the application form back to the applicant with a supplementary email confirming that the immigration adviser or lawyer exempt from licensing has signed and dated the relevant page of the form.

2. The applicant then provides the following to the relevant INZ branch:
i. The original form - signed and dated; and
ii. The scanned copy of the relevant page of the form (or the entire scanned form, including the relevant section) with the appropriate signature and date; and
iii. The supplementary email.

An original signature is still preferred, but in circumstances where this is not feasible this guidance may be followed.

Please ensure your branch practice complies with these instructions, and accepts application forms submitted according to the guidance above.

Please note, radiologist groups, immigration advisers and lawyers exempt from licensing who have had specific issues with these requirements in the past have been contacted about this change.