• 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

746 items matching your search terms

  1. [2022] NZIACDT 21 - CT v Nandan (18 August 2022) [PDF, 215 KB]

    Adviser failed to provide an invoice, refund & confirm that the service contract was terminated / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s7, s442, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl22, cl24c, cl28a / HELD / adviser surrendered licence to become a lawyer / breach of cl22 / did not provide invoice for client’s payment / breach of cl24c / after surrender of licence, service contract was effectively terminated / obliged to refund deposit, less value of work done and invoiced / eventual offer to refund was 19 months after initial request / initial refusal on the basis contract prohibited refunds for change of mind contrary to cl24 / client entitled to “fair and reasonable” refund per cl24a & cl24c / breach of cl28a / did not confirm contract termination in writing / name suppression refused / presumption in favour of publication not displaced / complaint upheld
  2. [2022] NZIACDT 20 - XZ v Liu (10 August 2022) [PDF, 206 KB]

    Sanctions / diligence and due care / gave incorrect advice to client about whether they could enter New Zealand, delaying return and employment / honest mistake but not advice a reasonable, prudent and diligent practitioner would give / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / first appearance before Tribunal / isolated incident of wrong advice that had severe consequences / low level wrongdoing / adviser cautioned, rather than censured / ordered to pay $1,000 financial penalty / no justification for refund of successful residence application fees / compensation claim partially upheld for lost wages / Tribunal may award reasonable compensation; a contribution towards losses and expenses, not an indemnity / large compensation claims cannot avoid usual civil process / four weeks gross wages ($4,480) awarded for loss of income
  3. [2022] NZIACDT 19 – TA v Tian (Sanctions) (25 July 2022) [PDF, 185 KB]

    Sanctions / dishonest behaviour / numerous breaches of obligations over multiple applications / false representations about application status and completed work while doing nothing / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl9, cl18a, cl26a, cl29a / HELD / high end of misconduct / in addition to deceit, 16 breaches of obligations / fourth upheld complaint against adviser with a pattern of deceitful conduct / did not engage with disciplinary process in a meaningful way / grave consequences for complainant / adviser censured / prevented from reapplying for maximum period of 2 years / ordered to pay $8,000 financial penalty / compensation of $27,145 ordered ($20,955 for wasted polytechnic fees, $1,150 for first s61 request after wrongdoing uncovered, and $5,000 emotional distress)  / costs for legal fees on complaint not awardable / fees for further immigration applications did not arise from adviser’s wrongdoing, disallowed
  4. [2022] NZIACDT 18 - TQ v Gibson (25 July 2022) [PDF, 209 KB]

    Diligence and due care / adviser failed to reply to PPI letter or inform complainant their application was declined / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s7, s442, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl26a / HELD / adviser did not engage with Tribunal / breaches of cl1 / lack of professionalism, diligence and due care in failing to substantively respond to PPI letter, compounded by not obtaining urgent instructions after being reminded by INZ / failure to inform complainant of application outcome, or reply to complainant’s emails regarding work visa and residence application, also constitute breaches of cl26a / dishonesty or misleading conduct allegation not upheld, as adviser did not know of decline decision before being told by complainant / complaint upheld
  5. [2022] NZIACDT 17 - SU v Murthy (18 July 2022) [PDF, 305 KB]

    Diligence and due care / adviser failed to check whether staff had correctly filed NZQA application & did not personally check after being asked by client / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s7, s442, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl18a, cl26c, cl28a, cl29f / HELD / breach of cl1 / failing to check on NZQA application for two months is an unacceptable delay / dishonesty allegations not established / adviser’s responses to client regarding NZQA application inquiries in good faith, not dishonest / belatedly paid NZQA fee after complainant terminated work visa services / should have checked client wished to proceed, but payment not dishonest because of belief NZQA application services had not been terminated / advice that EOI selections would recommence unduly optimistic, not deceitful / breach of cl18a / no service contract for work visa / breach of cl28a & cl26c / no written confirmation of termination of services or oral advice given / complaint upheld
  6. [2022] NZIACDT 16 GX v Registrar (5 July 2022) [PDF, 182 KB]

    Appeal against Registrar rejecting complaint / complaint adviser used misleading and invalid agreements, did not provide or explain Code of Conduct and internal complaints procedure, asked to charge a higher fee, required payment in cash & in breach of contract / Registrar rejected complaint on basis it disclosed only a trivial or inconsequential matter / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s7, s442, s451, s54 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl17, cl18b, cl19m, cl19n / Ekanayake v Registrar of Immigration Advisers [2015] NZIACDT 67 / Immigration New Zealand (Calder) v Cleland [2019] NZIACDT 25 / HELD / file evidences breaches of cl1, cl17, cl18b, cl19m & cl19n / as objective of tax residency work was to secure visa, tax work captured by “immigration advice” definition / failure to recognise this meant adviser entered into agreement without following Code obligations / other complaints not established / Registrar exercised discretion reasonably and lawfully / appeal rejected
  7. [2022] NZIACDT 15 - BC v Lawlor (29 June 2022) [PDF, 218 KB]

    Sanctions / negligence / numerous breaches of Code / failed to file requests / failed to identify clients’ ineligibility / failed to get approval to change visa category / failed to have written agreement / failed to respond to INZ letter / failed to inform clients they were unlawful & provide updates / failed to advise outcome / did not ensure payment for reconsideration application / failed to confirm details of material discussions in writing / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl18a, cl26aiii, cl26b, cl26c / HELD / adviser accepted wrongdoing / first appearance before Tribunal / serious professional failures with significant consequences / adverse publicity a usual consequence, of limited relevance for sanctions / health issues at the relevant time / adviser censured / no training directed as misconduct explained by health / $2,000 financial penalty ordered / no submissions for refund or compensation, none ordered
  8. [2022] NZIACDT 14 - XZ v Liu (27 June 2022) [PDF, 220 KB]

    Diligence and due care / adviser gave incorrect advice to client about whether they could enter New Zealand / originally gave correct advice, but in later correspondence, failed to correctly identify the relevant start date of client’s visa / assumed date of INZ letter was the same as visa start date / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1 / Immigration Act 2009, s62 / HELD / adviser admitted mistake / breach of cl 1 / faced with simple question and relevant instruction is uncomplicated / expected to correctly know facts and INZ criteria when giving advice on critical matter such as returning to NZ to undertake employment / adviser should have double-checked and followed up later if facing difficulties communicating / although common, not invariable that date of visa letter will align with start date / momentary lapse in concentration, but not an excusable human error / complaint upheld 
  9. [2022] NZIACDT 13 – BU v McCarthy (20 June 2022) [PDF, 108 KB]

    Sanctions / dishonest behaviour / failed to lodge a s 61 request after accepting instructions and payment to do so / deliberately deceived client into believing request had been made for about 18 months / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / HELD / first appearance before Tribunal / adviser provided no explanation & did not engage with Tribunal / conduct exacerbated by contempt for disciplinary process / serious misconduct with serious consequences for client / adviser censured / no longer licensed / prohibited from applying for a licence for the maximum period (two years) in light of attitude to disciplinary process & no confidence adviser has learned anything / ordered to pay $4,000 financial penalty / claim for refund of fee ($4,025) not opposed, upheld / award of $2,000 compensation for emotional distress
  10. [2022] NZIACDT 12 - LS v Murthy (27 May 2022) [PDF, 98 KB]

    Sanctions / adviser failed to communicate adequately / did not confirm in writing when she lodged application / did not confirm termination of services in writing / Immigration Advisers Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl26b, cl28a / first appearance before Tribunal / important to communicate professionally, but conduct not serious / adviser cautioned / circumstances do not justify a small financial penalty / conduct did not cause complainant loss, no grounds for refund
  11. [2022] NZIACDT 11 - BU v McCarthy (18 May 2022) [PDF, 193 KB]

    Adviser failed to lodge s 61 request / failed to keep client informed of developments in a timely manner / misled clients by pretending an application had been made / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1 / HELD / breaches of cl 1 / request should have been ready to lodge in the months between receiving instructions and payment, but adviser concedes he failed to act / adviser unprofessional and lacked diligence / further, few communications to clients did not keep them informed of progress / last communication was misleading in that it pretended an application had been made, and clients continued to believe this until they contacted INZ directly / did not provide an explanation to Tribunal / advisers are obliged to explain conduct in the face of dishonesty allegation / adverse inference of misleading behaviour drawn / complaint upheld
  12. [2022] NZIACDT 10 - BC v Lawlor (18 May 2022) [PDF, 192 KB]

    Negligence / numerous breaches of Code / failed to identify qualification did not meet instructions & client’s ineligibility / failed to get approval to change visa category / failed to have written agreement / failed to respond to INZ letter / failed to inform clients they were unlawful & provide updates / failed to advise outcome / did not ensure payment for reconsideration application / failed to file requests in a timely manner & when requested / failed to confirm details of material discussions in writing / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s 442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl18a, cl26aiii, cl26b, cl 26c / adviser conceded Code breaches & provided explanation / errors attributed to health and personal difficulties / acting pro bono does not lower standard required / no breach of cl26aiii, it does not require creation of written communications; cl26(c) does / complaint upheld
  13. [2022] NZIACDT 9 NL v Registrar (2 May 2022) [PDF, 193 KB]

    Appeal against Registrar rejecting complaint / complaint adviser had a conflict of interest and underpaid wages / Registrar rejected complaint on basis it did not disclose any of the statutory grounds of complaint / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442, s451, s54 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl2, cl5, cl6, cl7 / employment related claims are not within jurisdiction / adviser offered to employ appellant and submit work visa application / conflict of interest recognised by adviser in a letter which also recommended independent immigration advice / appellant signed acknowledgement he received letter and understood it / adviser satisfied professional obligations for potential conflict but best practice would be clear and express consent to representation despite the conflict, and to record nature of conflict / standard agreement should have been tailored to circumstances / appellant knew of adviser’s role and signed acknowledgement and client agreement / appeal rejected
  14. [2022] NZIACDT 8 - IF v Registrar (2 May 2022) [PDF, 111 KB]

    Appeal against Registrar rejecting complaint / complaint adviser wrongly assumed visa expiry dates of appellant and wife were the same, resulting in the wife becoming unlawful / Registrar rejected complaint on basis it disclosed only a trivial or inconsequential matter / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442, s451, s54 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1 / Liston v The Director of Proceedings [2018] NZHC 2981 / adviser breached cl1 by not identifying correct expiry date and notifying wife / accepted situation stressful / minimum threshold for sanctions for public protection / mistake mitigated by apology, rectification, admission of mistake to INZ, offer to reimburse lost wages, no adverse consequences & migrants bear an obligation to ensure they are aware of visa expiry dates / minimal delays caused to residence application / other losses not particularised by appellant / other complaints / Registrar found delays did not warrant formal process / appeal rejected
  15. [2022] NZIACDT 7 - TA v Tian (27 April 2022) [PDF, 211 KB]

    Dishonest behaviour / numerous breaches of obligations over multiple applications / false representations about application status and completed work / failed to inform client of application outcomes / failed to provide sufficient explanations and a mandatory document to INZ / did not advise of risks or properly document advice regarding futile immigration matters / failed to have a written agreement with client / failed to maintain a client file / failed to inform client of licence suspension / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442, s50, s511 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl9, cl18a, cl26a, cl29a / adviser provided no explanation in response to complaint / professionals have a duty to respond to complaint and disciplinary processes / adverse inference drawn / failure to advise application outcomes was deliberate / hiding suspended licence status was a gross breach of trust / dishonestly pretended to assist client / complaint upheld
  16. [2022] NZIACDT 6 IL v Khetarpal (19 April 2022) [PDF, 193 KB]

    Sanctions / due care / failed to inform client salary did not meet immigration instructions, and filed son’s application under wrong category / failed to disclose she was providing advice pursuant to interim order of District Court as required / failed to provide client with written agreement & client file to IAA / Immigration Advisers Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl3a, cl18a, cl26e / adviser did not engage with Tribunal / four previous disciplinary findings, also involving lack of due care and professionalism / licence has previously been cancelled / adviser censured / prohibited from reapplying for any licence for two years, to run concurrently with existing order / ordered to pay $3,500 financial penalty / claim for compensation for lost wages does not show claimed losses arose from adviser’s wrongdoing
  17. [2022] NZIACDT 5 – LS v Murthy (4 April 2022) [PDF, 199 KB]

    Failure to confirm matters in writing / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl26b, cl26f, cl28a / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s5, s7, s442, s49 / HELD / jurisdiction / work on NZQA qualification assessment was immigration advice as a necessary document for a residence visa / oral hearing / complainant did not attend hearing / allegations of dishonest or misleading behaviour not upheld / adviser’s evidence she was authorised to create email address for complainant plausible, accepted / adviser’s evidence she stopped work after seeing message terminating services, accepted / no breach of cl 1 for failing to lodge assessment in a timely manner, work was not urgent / no breach of cl26f for failing to provide documents when requested, statement of complaint does not identify what documents were subsequently provided or not / breaches of cl26b & cl28a for failing to confirm in writing when NZQA assessment application was lodged, and when services were terminated / complaint upheld
  18. [2022] NZIACDT 4 - ZI v Wan Sanctions (3 March 2022) [PDF, 199 KB]

    Sanctions / diligence and due care / failed to lodge variation of conditions application / failed to inform client INZ rejected exemption to guardian visitor visa conditions / client breached visa conditions / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1 / one previous disciplinary finding / adviser censured / no training order justified, complainant does not identify what training is required / ordered to pay $2,000 financial penalty / compensation not sought due to settlement agreement
  19. [2022] NZIACDT 2 - TC v Registrar (11 February 2022) [PDF, 198 KB]

    Appeal against Registrar rejecting complaint / complaint adviser failed to inform INZ that client had lost his job, breached confidentiality by sharing information with employer, and mistakenly informed client INZ would issue the family visitor visas / Registrar rejected complaint on basis it disclosed only a trivial or inconsequential matter / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442, s451, s54 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl18a, cl26aii / not accepted INZ not informed that client lost employment / client informed INZ without reference to adviser / when client communicates directly with INZ, less clear who is responsible for any failure to inform / no evidence of breach of confidentiality or that adviser lied to client concerning visitor visa / public hospital charges arising out of failing to have a visa not the responsibility of adviser / absence of written agreement is a breach of cl18a, Registrar appropriately issued a reminder / appeal rejected  DP
  20. [2022] NZIACDT 3 - IL v Khetarpal (10 February 2022) [PDF, 140 KB]

    Due care / adviser failed to inform client salary did not meet immigration instructions, and filed son’s application under wrong visa category / failed to disclose she was providing advice pursuant to interim order of District Court as required / failed to inform client of and obtain instructions on INZ letter / also failed to provide client with written agreement & client file to IAA / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442, s Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl3a, cl18a, cl26e / adviser did not contest allegations / breach of cl1 in not advising income did not meet instructions & making visa application under wrong category  / breach of cl3a in not disclosing she was providing advice pursuant to interim order, in breach of District Court order / failure to take instructions a technical breach of cl2e, but not material as no allegation that reply was inadequate / breach of cl18a & cl26e in not providing written agreement to client & client file to IAA / complaint upheld
  21. [2022] NZIACDT 1 - ZI v Wan (19 January 2022) [PDF, 208 KB]

    Diligence and due care / client breached visa conditions by travelling offshore twice without their child while holding a guardian visitor visa / visa required that client live with their child in NZ / first trip involved a family emergency / adviser failed to lodge a separate variation application, instead relying on immigration officer’s failure to object while questioning departure / second trip was to gather evidence for residence visa application / adviser failed to inform client that INZ refused a temporary exemption to visa condition, or warn of consequences of departing in breach / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1 / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / breach of cl1 found / adviser accepts he should have made formal variation application, and should have informed client of adverse decision and advised of risks and options / complaint upheld
  22. [2021] NZIACDT 26 - RH v Ji - Sanctions (23 December 2021) [PDF, 277 KB]

    Sanctions / dishonest behaviour / deliberately misled INZ and IAA / conflict of interest / numerous breaches of obligations / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl5, cl7a, cl17a, cl17b, cl17c, cl18b, cl19l, cl22, cl31a / adviser did not engage with Tribunal until sanctions stage / found to have notice of proceedings / did not accept more serious findings / explanation that behaviour not dishonest, rejected / three previous disciplinary findings, including dishonesty / adviser censured / has not learned from prior appearances, not worthwhile to order training / prevented from reapplying for licence for maximum two years / prevention is sanction of last resort, consumers protection required / supervision not adequate / ordered to refund $1,000 fees / compensation must arise from misconduct / ordered to compensate $1,000 for stress / compensation for complainant’s labour compiling complaint, declined / ordered to pay $5,000 financial penalty
  23. [2021] NZIACDT 25 – RH v Ji (8 November 2021) [PDF, 211 KB]

    Dishonest behaviour / adviser deliberately misled INZ and the IAA / conflict of interest / numerous breaches of obligations / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s 442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl5, cl7a, cl17a, cl17b, cl17c, cl18b, cl19l, cl22, cl31a / adviser did not engage with Tribunal / blamed an unknown offshore adviser and translation mistake for past false information / actually had a business relationship with that adviser, and was told false information was deliberate / acted without disclosing actual conflict of interest / could not objectively explain false information given business relationship / failed to send client the INZ response letter before and immediately after submitting it / failed to explain significant matters in written agreement & provide complaints procedure & summary of professional responsibilities / unintentionally failed to provide invoice / declined to consider whether advisers have wider obligation, outside of resolving client’s situation, to…
  24. [2021] NZIACDT 24 - HT v Shaikh – Sanctions (7 October 2021) [PDF, 195 KB]

    Sanctions / failure to be professional, diligent and exercise due care / application not made on time due to absence of supporting document / adviser not aware document was returned by complainant before application deadline / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1 / first complaint against adviser / consequences serious as complainant became unlawful, but unknown whether application would have been successful & of any further consequences / adviser cautioned / no public interest in punitive sanction / no financial penalty ordered
  25. [2021] NZIACDT 23 - CL v Khetarpal (24 September 2021) [PDF, 228 KB]

    Sanctions / dishonest and misleading behaviour / dishonestly advised visa was being processed when it was declined & applied for discretionary relief without instructions / supported applications with false declaration, obtained by mistranslating content / numerous other breaches of professional obligations / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl8c, cl18a, cl22, cl26a, cl26b, cl26e, cl26f, cl28a, cl28b / misconduct involving dishonesty at serious end of spectrum / Tribunal has previously upheld three complaints against adviser / sustained history of serious misconduct / aggravated by contempt for disciplinary process / unfit to be a member of the profession & consumers require protection / adviser censured / prevented from renewing licence for maximum two years / directed to refund $3,246 fees / directed to compensate $10,640.81 for legal fees to regularise status & $5,000 for distress / ordered to pay $7,000 financial penalty