How do I know if an immigration adviser is any good?

Verify the licence is Current and full, ask about outcomes for cases like yours, and judge how honestly they assess your weaknesses. Licence tenure on this directory shows how long they have been practising. No adviser can guarantee an outcome, and one who does is showing you a red flag.

Should I use an adviser near me or does location matter?

Most immigration work is done remotely, so location is a preference rather than a requirement. Many people still prefer someone local for face-to-face meetings; the city pages on this directory list licensed advisers by area.

Where do I complain about an immigration adviser?

To the Immigration Advisers Authority, which handles complaints about licensed advisers and investigates unlicensed advice. Serious complaints are decided by the Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal.

How to choose an immigration adviser in New Zealand

Updated 23 July 2026

Choosing an immigration adviser comes down to three checks: verify the licence is current, confirm real experience with your visa type, and get the scope and fees in writing before paying anything. Everything else, including polish, promises and glowing marketing, is secondary to those three.

Verify the licence first

Search the adviser's name or licence number on this directory or the official IAA register. A Current status means they can legally advise you. Note the licence type: a full licence permits unsupervised advice on any immigration matter, while provisional licence holders must work under a supervisor. Licence tenure is also visible; the first four digits of a licence number are the year it was first issued.

Questions worth asking

The last question matters most. A good adviser will identify problems and tell you if a case is not worth pursuing. An adviser who says every case is strong is selling, not advising.

How many applications like mine have you handled in the last two years, and what were the outcomes?
Who will actually do the work on my file?
What is your fee structure, and what happens if Immigration New Zealand raises concerns?
What are the weaknesses in my case?

Red flags

Guaranteeing a visa outcome, which no honest professional can do
No written agreement, which breaches the code of conduct
Suggesting you leave out information or say anything untrue to Immigration New Zealand
Payment demanded in cash with no invoice
Not on the register and not a lawyer, which makes paid advice unlawful

If something goes wrong

Complaints about licensed advisers go to the Immigration Advisers Authority and can be escalated to the Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal, which can order refunds, fines and licence cancellation. Keep copies of your agreement, invoices and correspondence; they are the evidence a complaint runs on.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if an immigration adviser is any good?: Verify the licence is Current and full, ask about outcomes for cases like yours, and judge how honestly they assess your weaknesses. Licence tenure on this directory shows how long they have been practising. No adviser can guarantee an outcome, and one who does is showing you a red flag.
Should I use an adviser near me or does location matter?: Most immigration work is done remotely, so location is a preference rather than a requirement. Many people still prefer someone local for face-to-face meetings; the city pages on this directory list licensed advisers by area.
Where do I complain about an immigration adviser?: To the Immigration Advisers Authority, which handles complaints about licensed advisers and investigates unlicensed advice. Serious complaints are decided by the Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal.

Sources

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Verify any adviser on the licence checker, browse advisers by city, or send one enquiry and we will connect you with a licensed professional.

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General information, not immigration advice. Rules change; always check the linked official sources.