• If you are looking for a specific decision with a forward slash in the title (eg, 123/2014), you will need to replace the forward slash with a space (eg, 123 2014), as the website cannot pick up on forward slashes (/) or any other characters.
  • If you are doing a keyword search (eg, sanction), please note that this search will only produce decisions where the keyword appears in the title or decision description. If you want to search the entire decision document for certain keywords, you will need to use full website search located in the top right hand corner of this page.

  • If you want to search for a specific section of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 or clause of the Code of Conduct 2014, you must search it as one word with no spaces or brackets. For example, if searching for section 44(2)(a) of the Act, you should enter ‘s442a’ into the keyword search and if searching for clause 19(k) of the Code of Conduct, you should enter ‘cl19k’.

If you want to search for a decision from a particular jurisdiction using the full website search, put both the jurisdiction name and the keyword in the search field (eg, Immigration Advisors Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal sanction).

Search results

792 items matching your search terms

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. G 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
  4. [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
  5. [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
  6. [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
  7. [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…
  8. [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
  9. [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
  10. [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
  11. [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
  12. [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
  13. [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
  14. [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
  15. [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
  16. [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
  17. [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
  18. [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  
  19. [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
  20. [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
  21. [2025] NZIACDT 08 – JY v Wen (7 February 2025) [PDF, 175 KB]

    Professional practice / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl14, cl17a, cl17c cl18a, cl18b, cl20a, cl22 and cl26b / HELD / adviser failed to send draft visa application prior to filing / complainant’s inexperience with English does not justify lack of verification / however, provided adequate information regarding visa category / partial breach of cl1 / did not provide services agreement until after visa approved / significant matters not explained / breaches of cl18a and cl18b / failed to provide timely invoice for services / failed to provide invoice for alleged resettlement purposes / breach of cl22 / fees charged not fair or reasonable / breach of cl20a / failed to provide evidence of licence and advise of responsibilities and complaints procedure / breaches of cl14, cl17a and cl17c / failed to advise of issues raised by INZ / breach of cl26b / alternative charges of negligence dismissed / complaint partially upheld / sanctions to follow
  22. [2025] NZIACDT 07 - INZ v Tran (22 January 2025) [PDF, 196 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser permitted unlicensed agent to perform work required to be undertaken by the licensed adviser / four heads of complaint involving seven breaches of Code / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl17a, cl17b, cl17c, cl18c / HELD / breaches of fundamental obligations to personally contract with and engage with visa applicant / adviser contributed to creating an environment for fraud to be perpetrated / moderate gravity of misconduct / first appearance before Tribunal / adviser expressed remorse albeit did not accept more serious breaches in explanation to Authority and made no submission to Tribunal prior to decision / offered no apology for more serious conduct, only certain failings / contrition not fulsome / breaches of core obligations warrant censure / adviser surrendered license / further training not required / refund or compensation not sought / adviser censured / ordered to pay $4,000 financial penalty
  23. [2025] NZIACDT 05 – YI v Liu (14 January 2025) [PDF, 160 KB]

    Professional practice / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl22, cl26aiii and cl26b / HELD / adviser permitted unlicensed agent to perform work required to be undertaken by licensed adviser (‘rubber stamping’) / fundamental obligation to engage directly and personally / breach of cl2e / no services agreement / breach of cl18a / failed to provide evidence of licence / breach of cl14 / failed to provide client opportunity to review INZ application / breach of cl1 / declaration to INZ concerning advice “for” client not false or misleading / no breach of cl1 or cl31a / failed to personally confirm application lodged and provide timely updates / breach of cl26b / failed to provide complete record of communications / breach of cl26aiii / failed to issue invoice / breach of cl22 / retention of invoice not in issue / no breach of cl26aiv / alternative charge of negligence dismissed / complaint partially upheld / sanctions to follow
  24. [2025] NZIACDT 06 – DH v Liu (14 January 2025) [PDF, 252 KB]

    Professional practice / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl22, cl26aiii and cl26b / HELD / adviser permitted unlicensed agent to perform work required to be undertaken by licensed adviser (‘rubber stamping’) / fundamental obligation to engage directly and personally / breach of cl2e / no services agreement / breach of cl18a / failed to provide evidence of licence / breach of cl14 / failed to provide client opportunity to review INZ application / breach of cl1 / declaration to INZ concerning advice “for” client not false or misleading / no breach of cl1 or cl31a / failed to personally confirm application lodged and provide timely updates / breach of cl26b / failed to provide complete record of communications / breach of cl26aiii / failed to issue invoice / breach of cl22 / retention of invoice not in issue / no breach of cl26aiv / alternative charge of negligence dismissed / complaint partially upheld / sanctions to follow
  25. [2025] NZIACDT 04 EI v Liu (14 January 2025) [PDF, 243 KB]

    Professional practice / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl14, cl18a, cl22, cl26aiii and cl26b / HELD / adviser permitted unlicensed agent to perform work required to be undertaken by licensed adviser (‘rubber stamping’) / fundamental obligation to engage directly and personally / breach of cl2e / no services agreement / breach of cl18a / failed to provide evidence of licence / breach of cl14 / failed to provide client opportunity to review INZ application / breach of cl1 / declaration to INZ concerning advice “for” client not false or misleading / no breach of cl1 or cl31a / failed to personally confirm application lodged and provide timely updates / breach of cl26b / failed to provide complete record of communications / breach of cl26aiii / failed to issue invoice / breach of cl22 / retention of invoice not in issue / no breach of cl26aiv / alternative charge of negligence dismissed / complaint partially upheld / sanctions to follow