7 Feb 2011

Warning over misinformation on New Zealand visas

7:08 am on 7 February 2011

The head of Immigration New Zealand says Pacific people need to be cautious of misinformation concerning the granting of visas, including residence.

The dates for the 2011 ballot for Pacific people have yet to be set but Nigel Bickle says if people have worries about who they are dealing with regarding visas information they can contact the department.

People giving immigration advice about New Zealand must be licensed under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, unless they are exempt - no matter where they are in the world.

Nigel Bickle says people can access who a licensed adviser is on the immigration advisers authority website.

"If you get approached by anyone who is offering immigration visas or residency, then you need to contact the police or us because we are the only ones can issue a visa."