Immigration advisers - licensing exemptions

Some people may not need a licence to provide New Zealand immigration advice.

Anyone who gives New Zealand immigration advice, whether in New Zealand or offshore, has to be licensed with the Immigration Advisers Authority, or exempt.

If you're a lawyer or employee in a law firm, or work for or volunteer for a community law centre, you can give immigration advice without a licence. Likewise, if you're offshore and help with student visa applications only, you're exempt unless your advice includes other visa types. If you're a foreign diplomat or consulate staff member, or work for or volunteer for a citizen's advice bureau, a Member of Parliament, or a public service employee, you may also be exempt from having a licence. Occasional un-paid informal advice, like talking to friends or family about immigration, doesn't require a licence.