Overseas agents who offer advice on immigration to New Zealand must be licensed from 4 May.
The Government says the requirement is designed to protect immigrants from cowboy operators and mirrors a scheme introduced in New Zealand last year.
Support organisation Migrant Action Trust says unscrupulous agents will still find ways to take advantage of vulnerable people and believes licensing is simply a revenue-generating device for the Government.
However, the Registrar of Immigration Advisers, Barry Smedts, says the system will allow would-be immigrants to find a certified agent.
