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848 items matching your search terms

  1. [2025] NZIACDT 35 – TG v Ma (11 July 2025) [PDF, 267 KB]

    Sanctions / dishonesty, provision of false information and documents, failure to have services agreement and undisclosed conflict of interest / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s19, s50, s51 / wrongdoing amongst most serious, comprising 26 heads of complaint, particularly given deceitful misleading of INZ / aggravated by complete absence of acknowledgement of serious wrongdoing and extensive disciplinary history involving more than five clients / numerous fundamental breaches of the Code / adviser’s medical condition lacks material connection to wrongdoing and appropriate sanctions / cancellation sanction of last resort / Tribunal has no confidence that training, mentoring or further suspension will protect public / cancellation reasonable and proportionate / adviser censured / licence cancelled / adviser prevented from any form of licensing for two years / ordered to pay $10,000 financial penalty / ordered to pay refund and compensation totalling $58,500 
  2. [2025] NZIACDT 34 - KU v Wang (24 June 2025) [PDF, 125 KB]

    Professional responsibilities and professional practice / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl14, cl18a, cl18b, cl26c / no evidence of failing to obtain and carry out complainant’s instructions or ‘rubber stamping’ / delegation of work permissible where other licensed adviser identified in written services agreement / unlicensed employee able to perform clerical work / however, adviser, as director of company, entered into services agreement with consultancy firm, rather than client / tripartite contractual relationship resulted in lack of services agreement between adviser and client / failed to provide evidence of being licensed / failed to explain all significant matters in agreement / failed to confirm in writing all material discussions / global fixed fee not unfair or unreasonable / alternative negligence heads dismissed / complaint partially upheld / sanctions to follow
  3. [2025] NZIACDT 33 - KM v Jiang (16 June 2025) [PDF, 242 KB]

    Professional responsibilities and professional practice / rubber stamping / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl26ai, cl26aiii, cl26b, cl26d / adviser failed to maintain direct communications with client, could not communicate through unlicensed agent / breach of fundamental obligation to personally contract with and engage with visa applicant / adviser contributed to creating an environment for fraud to be perpetrated / failed to provide evidence of licence / failed to provide client opportunity to review INZ application / failed to personally confirm application lodged and provide timely updates / failed to retain visa application and records of communications / availability of visa application from INZ website immaterial to obligation to maintain records / however, no evidential foundation to indicate conflict of interest / alternative negligence heads dismissed / complaint partially upheld / sanctions to follow
  4. [2025] NZIACDT 32 - CM v Jiang (16 June 2025) [PDF, 239 KB]

    Professional responsibilities and professional practice / rubber stamping / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, section 44(2) / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl26ai, cl26aiii, cl26b, cl26d / adviser failed to maintain direct communications with client, could not communicate through unlicensed agent / breach of fundamental obligation to personally contract with and engage with visa applicant / adviser contributed to creating an environment for fraud to be perpetrated / failed to provide evidence of licence / failed to provide client opportunity to review INZ application / failed to personally confirm application lodged and provide timely updates / failed to retain visa application and records of communications / availability of visa application from INZ website immaterial to obligation to maintain records / however, no evidential foundation to indicate conflict of interest / alternative negligence heads dismissed / complaint partially upheld / sanctions to follow
  5. [2025] NZIACDT 31 – LY x Jiang (16 June 2025) [PDF, 240 KB]

    Professional responsibilities and professional practice / rubber stamping / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl26ai, cl26aiii, cl26b, cl26d / adviser failed to maintain direct communications with client, could not communicate through unlicensed agent / breach of fundamental obligation to personally contract with and engage with visa applicant / adviser contributed to creating an environment for fraud to be perpetrated / failed to provide evidence of licence / failed to provide client opportunity to review INZ application / failed to personally confirm application lodged and provide timely updates / failed to retain visa application and records of communications / availability of visa application from INZ website immaterial to obligation to maintain records / however, no evidential foundation to indicate conflict of interest / alternative negligence heads dismissed / complaint partially upheld / sanctions to follow
  6. ZH v Ma [2025] NZIACDT 30 (6 June 2025) [PDF, 311 KB]

    Professional responsibilities and professional practice / rubber stamping / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl5, cl7, cl14, cl18a, cl26aiii, cl26b, cl26d / adviser failed to maintain direct communications with client, could not communicate through unlicensed agent / did not advise complainant that sponsor employer was husband’s company, continued to lodge visa application notwithstanding conflict / deliberately and dishonestly failed to declare to INZ of her assistance on visa application form / dishonestly presented Authority with services agreement known to be false, containing fake signature from complainant / adviser’s explanation she was unaware of conflict with sponsor employer rejected / employment agreement not genuine as work not bona fide, provision to INZ dishonest / alternative negligence heads dismissed / complaint partially upheld / sanctions to follow
  7. ZA v KY [2025] NZIACDT 29 (3 June 2025) [PDF, 103 KB]

    Professional responsibilities and professional practice / adviser alleged to have been negligent or alternatively to have breached Code / complaint in relation to reasonableness of consultation fee for student placement application / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s7, s442, s50A / Code of Conduct 2014 / consultation for student placement application did not constitute immigration advice / while the adviser’s services agreement contemplated future student visa application, no such application was made / complainant terminated adviser’s services upon receiving offer of study / no visa advice provided / no visa application drafted or submitted / scope of work not within immigration advice disciplinary jurisdiction / complaint dismissed
  8. TG v Ma [2025] NZIACDT 27 (27 May 2025) [PDF, 332 KB]

    Professional responsibilities and professional practice / adviser deliberately and dishonestly failed to disclose role in two visa applications, but sought to ensure communications were directed to her / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1 cl5, cl7, cl14, cl18a, cl20a, cl22, cl26c, cl26d / adviser sought to hide involvement in visa applications from INZ due to conflict of interest / deliberately and dishonestly provided false email address for applicants / untruthfully represented existence of two jobs with husband’s company which ultimately formed basis for grant of visa / absence of written services agreements / no provision of evidence of being licensed / failed to provide opportunity to review applications / failed to disclose conflict in writing / no record of written advice / no well-managed filing system / no provision of invoices / withheld services for failure to pay / excessive fees / complaint partially upheld / sanctions to follow
  9. [2025] NZIACDT 26 - KA v Wen (26 April 2025) [PDF, 218 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser committed 12 breaches of 11 professional obligations / client the victim of immigration fraud / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl17a, cl17b, cl17c, cl18a, cl18b, cl26aiii, cl26d, cla2b / HELD / Tribunal denounces failure to directly engage with client (‘rubber stamping’), alongside failure to have written service agreement signed by client / three complaints upheld against adviser, treated as third appearance / totality of sanctions considered / Tribunal acknowledges adviser was inexperienced, only holding provisional licence at time of breaches / upper end of moderate gravity of wrongdoing / adviser offered no apology, though acknowledges significance of wrongdoing and has implemented practices to prevent repeat and regularly undertakes professional development / further training unnecessary / adviser censured / compensation not sought / adviser ordered to pay $4,000 financial penalty
  10. [2025] NZIACDT 24 - INZ v Ma (31 March 2025) [PDF, 131 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser failed to directly engage with client (‘rubber stamping’) or disclose conflict of interest in writing / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl5, cl7, cl14, cl18a, cl26aiii, cl26b, cl26d, cl31a / eight breaches of 10 obligations under Code / direct engagement a fundamental obligation of advisers, failure enabled immigration fraud to occur / failure to use services agreement major departure from expect standards / inadequate written disclosure of conflict of interest serious breach / gravity of wrongdoing at high end of moderate / third appearance before Tribunal / adviser expressed sorry for misconduct but no apology offered / pattern of breaching fundamental professional obligations / adviser censured / need to undertake training reiterated and ordered further / cancellation not warranted in circumstances / suspension ordered pending retraining / ordered to pay $7,000 financial penalty / compensation not sought
  11. [2025] NZIACDT 23 – JY v Wen (25 March 2025) [PDF, 216 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser breached nine professional obligations / client wound up as a victim of immigration fraud  / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl14, cl17a, cl17c cl18a, cl18b, cl20a, cl22 and cl26b / HELD / Tribunal denounces failure to have written agreement before undertaking work, along with excessive fee and numerous other breaches of Code / three complaints upheld against adviser, treated as first appearance / Tribunal accepts adviser was inexperienced, only holding provisional licence at time of breaches / moderate gravity of wrongdoing / adviser offered no apology, though acknowledges significance of wrongdoing and has taken comprehensive steps to prevent repeat / adviser has implemented practices to prevent repeat and regularly undertakes professional development / further training unnecessary / adviser censured / compensation not sought / adviser ordered to pay $3,000 financial penalty
  12. [2025] NZIACDT 22 – ZZ v Wen (25 March 2025) [PDF, 214 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser breached six professional obligations / had no contact with complainant / permitted unlicensed agent to perform work required to be undertaken by the licensed adviser / client wound up as a victim of immigration fraud / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl18b, cl26b / HELD / Tribunal denounces failure to directly engage with client, alongside failure to have written service agreement / three complaints upheld against adviser, treated as second appearance / Tribunal accepts adviser was inexperienced, only holding provisional licence at time of breaches / gravity of wrongdoing at high end of moderate / adviser offered no apology, though acknowledges significance of wrongdoing and has taken comprehensive steps to prevent repeat / adviser has implemented practices to prevent repeat and regularly undertakes professional development / further training unnecessary / adviser censured / compensation not soug…
  13. [2025] NZIACDT 21 – KA v Wen (5 March 2025) [PDF, 197 KB]

    Professional practice / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl17a, cl17b, cl17c, cl18a, cl18b, cl26aiii, cl26b, cl26d / HELD / adviser permitted unlicensed agent to perform work required to be undertaken by licensed adviser (‘rubber stamping’) / breaches of cl1, cl2e / failed to provide evidence of being licensed / breach of cl14 / failed to provide professional standards and complaints procedure / breaches of cl17a, cl17b, cl17c / failed to provide copy of visa application prior to lodgement / breach of cl1 / failed to provide service agreement, major departure from expected standard: Tian v TA [2024] NZDC 2759 / breach of cl18a / failure to maintain and provide complete file / breach of cl26aiii / filing system not well-managed / breach of cl26d / failed to advise of lodgement of application / breach of cl26b / no evidence of dishonesty / alternative charges of negligence dismissed / complaint partially upheld / sanctions to follow
  14. [2025] NZIACDT 20 – EI v Liu (3 March 2025) [PDF, 119 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser failed to directly communicate or engage with client (‘rubber stamping’), breaching seven professional obligations / client wound up as a victim of immigration fraud / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl22, cl26aiii, cl26b / eight identical complaints against adviser / direct engagement a fundamental obligation of advisers, failure enabled immigration fraud to occur / serious consequences for client / gravity of wrongdoing at high end of moderate / limited remorse and contrition / no apology offered / lack of direct engagement warrants degree of responsibility for complainant's financial losses / adviser censured / further training unnecessary as adviser has implemented practices to prevent repeat / ordered to pay $3,000 financial penalty / compensation of $1,700 and $800 refund to complainant as a modest contribution towards loss and wasted expense
  15. [2025] NZIACDT 19 – DH v Liu (28 February 2025) [PDF, 214 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser failed to directly communicate or engage with client, breaching seven professional obligations / client wound up as a victim of immigration fraud  / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl22, cl26aiii, cl26b/ HELD / eight identical complaints against adviser an aggravating factor / direct engagement a fundamental obligation of advisers, failure enabled immigration fraud to occur / serious consequences for client / failure to have written services agreement with client a major departure from expected standards / gravity of wrongdoing at high end of moderate / limited remorse / adviser censured and Tribunal denounces breaches of Code / further training unnecessary as adviser has implemented practices to prevent repeat / ordered to pay $4,000 financial penalty
  16. [2025] NZIACDT 18 – YI v Liu (27 February 2025) [PDF, 215 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser failed to directly communicate or engage with client, breaching seven professional obligations / client wound up as a victim of immigration fraud  / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl22, cl26aiii, cl26b / HELD / eight identical complaints against adviser / direct engagement a fundamental obligation of advisers, failure enabled immigration fraud to occur / serious consequences for client / failure to have written services agreement with client a major departure from expected standards / gravity of wrongdoing at high end of moderate / limited remorse / adviser censured and Tribunal denounces breaches of Code / further training unnecessary as adviser has implemented practices to prevent repeat / ordered to pay $4,000 financial penalty
  17. [2025] NZIACDT 17 – IX v Liu (26 February 2025) [PDF, 215 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser failed to directly communicate or engage with client (‘rubber stamping’), breaching six professional obligations / client wound up as a victim of immigration fraud / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl22, cl26b / eight identical complaints against adviser / direct engagement a fundamental obligation of advisers, failure enabled immigration fraud to occur / serious consequences for client / gravity of wrongdoing at high end of moderate / limited remorse / adviser censured / Tribunal denounces breaches of Code / further training unnecessary as adviser has implemented practices to prevent repeat / ordered to pay $4,000 financial penalty
  18. [2025] NZIACDT 16 – TX v Liu (26 February 2025) [PDF, 214 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser failed to directly communicate or engage with client, breaching six professional obligations / client wound up as a victim of immigration fraud  / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl22, cl26b/ HELD / eight identical complaints against adviser an aggravating factor / direct engagement a fundamental obligation of advisers, failure enabled immigration fraud to occur / serious consequences for client / failure to have written services agreement with client a major departure from expected standards / gravity of wrongdoing at high end of moderate / limited remorse / adviser censured and Tribunal denounces breaches of Code / further training unnecessary as adviser has implemented practices to prevent repeat / ordered to pay $4,000 financial penalty
  19. [2025] NZIACDT 15 – ZJ v Liu (26 February 2025) [PDF, 216 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser failed to directly communicate or engage with client, breaching six professional obligations / client wound up as a victim of immigration fraud  / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl22, cl26b/ HELD / eight identical complaints against adviser an aggravating factor / direct engagement a fundamental obligation of advisers, failure enabled immigration fraud to occur / serious consequences for client / failure to have written services agreement with client a major departure from expected standards / gravity of wrongdoing at high end of moderate / limited remorse / adviser censured and Tribunal denounces breaches of Code / further training unnecessary as adviser has implemented practices to prevent repeat / ordered to pay $4,000 financial penalty
  20. [2025] NZIACDT 14 - INZ v Ma (19 February 2025) [PDF, 248 KB]

    Professional responsibilities and professional practice / rubber stamping / adviser failed to directly engage with client or disclose conflict of interest in writing / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl5, cl7, cl14, cl18a, cl26aiii, cl26b, cl26d, cl31a / adviser doubted client personally signed documents, not professional or diligent to submit them to INZ without checking / failed to communicate directly with client, including providing a written services agreement, evidence of licence, visa application lodgement, or ongoing updates / rubber stamping / required to personally engage with client / inadequate written disclosure of conflict of interest about adviser’s husband offering employment / general broad disclosure insufficient, must specify nature of conflict / failed to maintain copies of communications with agent / complaint partially upheld
  21. [2025] NZIACDT 13 – HG v Liu (18 February 2025) [PDF, 108 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser failed to directly communicate or engage with client, breaching six professional obligations / client wound up as a victim of immigration fraud / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl 22, cl26b / HELD / eight identical complaints against adviser / second appearance before Tribunal / direct engagement a fundamental obligation of advisers, failure enabled immigration fraud to occur / serious consequences for client / failure to have written services agreement with client a major departure from expected standards / gravity of wrongdoing at high end of moderate / no real remorse / adviser censured and Tribunal denounces breaches of Code / further training unnecessary as adviser has implemented practices to prevent repeat / ordered to pay $5,000 financial penalty
  22. [2025] NZIACDT 12 - XI v Liu (18 February 2025) [PDF, 208 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser failed to directly communicate or engage with client, breaching seven professional obligations / client wound up as a victim of immigration fraud  / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl22, cl26aiii, cl26b / HELD / eight identical complaints against adviser / first appearance before Tribunal / direct engagement a fundamental obligation of advisers, failure enabled immigration fraud to occur / serious consequences for client / failure to have written services agreement with client a major departure from expected standards / gravity of wrongdoing at high end of moderate / no real remorse / adviser censured and Tribunal denounces breaches of Code / further training unnecessary as adviser has implemented practices to prevent repeat / ordered to pay $4,000 financial penalty
  23. [2025] NZIACDT 10 – INZ v Li (14 February 2025) [PDF, 203 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser failed to directly communicate or engage with client, breaching nine professional obligations / client wound up as a victim of immigration fraud  / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2a, cl2e, cl4a, cl8a, cl14, cl18b, cl26b, cl31a / HELD / two identical complaints against adviser / first appearance before Tribunal / serious consequences for client / wrongdoing at higher end of moderate in terms of gravity / adviser readily acknowledged wrongdoing and shows genuine remorse / adviser censured and Tribunal denounces lack of direct communication / further training unnecessary as adviser understands obligation to communicate directly with clients / ordered to pay $4,000 financial penalty  
  24. [2025] NZIACDT 11 - INZ v Li (14 February 2025) [PDF, 202 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser failed to directly communicate or engage with client, breaching nine professional obligations / client wound up as a victim of immigration fraud  / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2a, cl2e, cl4a, cl8a, cl14, cl18b, cl 26b, cl31a / HELD / two identical complaints against adviser / in essence, second appearance before Tribunal / serious consequences for client / wrongdoing at higher end of moderate in terms of gravity / adviser readily acknowledged wrongdoing and shows genuine remorse / adviser censured and Tribunal denounces lack of direct communication / further training unnecessary as adviser understands obligation to communicate directly with clients / ordered to pay $5,000 financial penalty
  25. [2025] NZIACDT 09 – ZZ v Wen (10 February 2025) [PDF, 247 KB]

    Professional practice / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl18b, cl22 and cl26b / HELD / adviser permitted anonymous unlicensed agent to perform work required to be undertaken by licensed adviser (‘rubber stamping’) / breach of cl2e / provided written agreement to Authority / unaware that complainant had not personally signed supporting document / however, failed to provide opportunity to review application / partial breach of cl1 / late provision of evidence of licence insufficient / breach of cl14 / failed to provide written agreement / breach of cl18a / failed to all explain significant matters / breach of cl18b / no relevant written communications / no breach of cl26iii / failure to provide on-going timely updates / breach of cl26b / obligation to confirm in writing material discussions did not arise / no breach of cl26c / alternative charges of negligence dismissed / complaint partially upheld / sanctions to follow