Member FAQ's

NZAMI represents the largest worldwide body of immigration advisers, immigration lawyers and associated organisations in New Zealand. We have dialogue with, and make submissions to, Immigration New Zealand and the Immigration Advisers Authority in the areas of policy and procedures. Membership provides you with a constant stream of support information, relevant CPD programmes, opportunities to interact with fellow professionals and be involved in the adviser community.

Read the requirements for membership and download the application form from our website. Fill out the form and post it to The Secretary with the application fee. The entire application process takes approximately 3 business weeks to complete. Please contact the Secretary directly if you are unsure or have any questions.

No, the application fee is non-refundable.

Yes, however, non-member fees to attend are higher for all CPD events, so there is a good financial incentive to join NZAMI.

Workshops are very popular and also run in smaller groups. Because of this format NZAMI members will be offered places on Workshops first and only if there are any places available after that time will these be open to non-members to attend.

The IAA is the Immigration Advisers Authority, a government organisation set up within the Department of Labour to regulate immigration advisers. It does not regulate advice given by people who are exempt from licensing e.g. lawyers (solicitors) who are regulated by The Law Society.

The NZAMI is an independent association and is not controlled by any government agency. Until the IAA was created the NZAMI was the major body controlling the actions of immigration advisers.

Although NZAMI members & directors were instrumental in pushing for the licencing of advisers & cooperated in the formation of the IAA systems & procedures, there is no formal connection between the two organisations.

If the member is a licensed adviser then you should direct your complaint to the IAA.

If the member is a lawyer, you should direct your complaint to the Law Society.

If the member is operating off-shore and is not yet a licensed adviser then you should direct your complaint to NZAMI. This applies until May 2010, after which all off-shore advisers must be licensed.

This is explained on the becoming an adviser page of the IAA website

Please refer to the IAA website or contact the IAA directly for further information on licensing.

To become a licensed immigration adviser for the first time you must either have completed an approved qualification or entry courses, or be registered as a migration agent in Australia.

The approved qualifications for a New Zealand immigration adviser licence are:

  • The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice
  • The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Graduate Certificate in New Zealand Immigration Advice.

The approved entry courses for a New Zealand immigration adviser licence are:

  • Courses 1 – 4 of the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice
  • Courses A and B of the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Graduate Certificate in New Zealand Immigration Advice.

From February 2016, the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice will be the only qualification offered to new students.

The Graduate Diploma takes one academic year full-time and is also available part-time. The online programme of study covers the Immigration Adviser Competency Standards and the Licensed Immigration Advisers Code of Conduct. It is made up of eight courses, but the final course may be taken as a work placement.

Students may apply for a provisional immigration adviser licence once they have completed and passed Courses A and B of the Graduate Certificate in New Zealand Immigration Advice or Courses 1-4 of the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice, and must have an approved supervision arrangement.

You can become a Student Member of NZAMI in order to attend seminars, join a networking group and become invloved in the immigration community at the NZAMI member rate whilst you are completing your studies.