Poor advice from a licensed immigration adviser (LIA) or lawyer could lead to costly mistakes—jeopardising your future in New Zealand. Not all immigration professionals are equal. Some lack the expertise, diligence, or ethical commitment required to manage the intricacies of your case.
Are you at risk of being misled? Here’s how to safeguard yourself and ensure you’re getting value for your money.
What Immigration Professionals Can Do for You
Both LIAs and immigration lawyers can:
- Assess your eligibility for a visa
- Prepare and submit your visa application
- Handle communication with Immigration New Zealand
- Represent you for resident visa appeals before the Immigration and Protection Tribunal
However, only lawyers can represent you in the High Court—a step so rare that it applies to less than 0.1% of immigration cases.
So, how do you choose the right professional for your needs?
1. Experience Counts
Check the types of cases they have handled and ask for case studies to review.Also, check how long they’ve been practising. You can verify this through:
- The Immigration Advisers Authority’s website (for LIAs).
- The Law Society’s website (for lawyers).
2. Read Client Reviews and Complaints
A quick look at Google or Facebook reviews can provide a sense of a professional’s reputation. But don’t stop there—check if your adviser or lawyer has been subject to disciplinary action on:
- The Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal (IACDT)
- The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (NZLCDT)
While being listed on these sites doesn’t necessarily mean someone is a bad adviser or lawyer, reading the Tribunal’s decisions can provide valuable insights into how they have treated their clients.
Ask yourself: Do I want this adviser or lawyer who treated their clients this badly to work for me?
3. Transparency: Are They Upfront About Their Services and Fees?
- Do they provide written advice, including eligibility assessments?
- Do they give you the reasons for their advice?
- Are all services and fees clearly outlined in a written agreement?
- Does their written service agreement include service standards to clarify how long it will take them to respond to emails or phone calls?Beware of vague answers from professionals. Consider it a warning sign if their responses are unclear or if they fail to document their advice in writing. This may indicate that they lack confidence in the advice they are providing.
4. Know Your Rights, Protect Your FutureImmigration professionals are bound by standards to evaluate your eligibility comprehensively, identify barriers to your application and provide detailed, reasoned advice in writing.
For LIAs, these obligations are clearly laid out under Competency Standard 4.1, which requires them to assess a client’s immigration situation, including:
- establishing eligibility criteria
- gathering appropriate information
- conducting preliminary assessments
- identifying potential barriers to eligibility
- evaluating the possible range of visa options
- providing correct advice and information
- providing reasons for advice given.
LIAs and immigration lawyers are required to provide their advice in writing. If your adviser or lawyer hasn’t done this promptly after you have engaged them, ask them why not.
If these services are not delivered early in your engagement, ask for a refund. I strongly recommend that you don’t continue with an adviser or lawyer who provides subpar assistance—it could jeopardise your visa approval.
5. Professional Fees: What Should You Pay?
You get what you pay for.
Professional fees vary based on expertise, experience, reputation, results and the adviser’s or lawyer’s operating costs. While cost is a factor, quality immigration advice is an investment in your future.
Expert advisers can usually handle complex cases better. This can save you time and avoid costly mistakes in the long run.
A good professional doesn’t just provide generic advice; they understand your specific needs and tailor their approach accordingly.
As visa application fees rise, it’s tempting to cut corners to save money. However, this can lead to mistakes or incomplete applications that result in delays, rejections, or additional costs.
6. Take Charge of Your Immigration Journey
Don’t leave your future in the hands of subpar advisers or lawyers. Research thoroughly, ask tough questions, and insist on written advice.
Your life in New Zealand is too important to gamble on the wrong advice.
