Is an immigration consultant the same as a licensed immigration adviser in New Zealand?

Consultant is a marketing title, not a legal one. If they give New Zealand immigration advice for gain, they must be a licensed immigration adviser or exempt, such as a practising lawyer. Check the licence before engaging anyone.

Can an overseas immigration agent handle my New Zealand visa?

Only if they are licensed by the IAA or exempt. The Immigration Advisers Licensing Act applies to New Zealand immigration advice wherever in the world it is given, and many offshore agencies hold New Zealand licences. Verify the individual adviser's licence number on the register.

Can an education agent apply for my student visa?

Choosing a course or institution is not immigration advice, but advising on or preparing the student visa application is. The person doing that visa work needs an IAA licence or an exemption, so ask who is handling the visa side and check their licence.

Immigration consultants and agents in New Zealand

Updated 24 July 2026

In New Zealand there is no such profession as an immigration consultant or immigration agent: the legal role is the licensed immigration adviser, sometimes spelled immigration advisor. Whatever the title on the business card, anyone giving New Zealand immigration advice in the course of business must hold a current licence from the Immigration Advisers Authority or be exempt, and the main exempt group is New Zealand lawyers with a practising certificate.

Why the different names exist

Consultant and agent are common industry and overseas terms. In many countries, migration agent or immigration consultant is the official title, so migrants and offshore businesses naturally use the same words about New Zealand. The Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 does not: it defines immigration advice and requires the person giving it to be licensed or exempt, whatever they call themselves.

The practical consequence: a business marketing itself as an immigration consultancy is fine only if the people advising you hold licences. The job title tells you nothing; the licence number tells you everything.

How to check a consultant or agent

Ask for the licence number and search it on this directory's licence checker or the official IAA register. If they claim to be a lawyer instead, verify the name on the New Zealand Law Society register; this directory also lists verified immigration law firms. If the person is neither on the IAA register nor a practising lawyer, paid immigration advice from them is unlawful, and Immigration New Zealand can refuse to accept applications prepared by unlicensed people.

Every licensed adviser has a profile on this directory showing licence status, type, tenure and filing history; browse advisers by city or the full A to Z.

Agents based overseas

The licensing requirement follows the advice, not the address: advice about New Zealand visas given from outside New Zealand is still immigration advice under the Act, and offshore agents handling New Zealand visa applications generally need a licence too, subject to the Act's specific exemptions. Many offshore agencies hold New Zealand licences for exactly this reason, and their advisers appear on the register like anyone else.

Education agents are a common special case: helping you choose a course is not immigration advice, but advising on or handling the student visa application is. If an education agency is doing your visa work, the same check applies: ask for the licence number and verify it.

Frequently asked questions

Is an immigration consultant the same as a licensed immigration adviser in New Zealand?: Consultant is a marketing title, not a legal one. If they give New Zealand immigration advice for gain, they must be a licensed immigration adviser or exempt, such as a practising lawyer. Check the licence before engaging anyone.
Can an overseas immigration agent handle my New Zealand visa?: Only if they are licensed by the IAA or exempt. The Immigration Advisers Licensing Act applies to New Zealand immigration advice wherever in the world it is given, and many offshore agencies hold New Zealand licences. Verify the individual adviser's licence number on the register.
Can an education agent apply for my student visa?: Choosing a course or institution is not immigration advice, but advising on or preparing the student visa application is. The person doing that visa work needs an IAA licence or an exemption, so ask who is handling the visa side and check their licence.

Sources

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