Course Overview
Love working with people from all around the world?
People looking for a new way of life often put New Zealand at the top of their wish list – but the immigration process can be difficult and confusing; professional advice is vital.
Anyone giving immigration advice has to be licensed. Unless you are an exempt person you must complete this qualification to apply for a licence and we are the only institute in the country able to offer it.
This very popular online course can be studied from anywhere in the world. It’s an intensive, interactive online course with strict entry criteria, particularly around English competency, and you must already have a degree or previous industry experience.
Upon successfully completing the requirements you'll receive the award of:
- Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice (Level 7)
You can gain a Provisional Licence after successfully completing papers LAWS6015, LAWS7012, LAWS7013 and LAWS7014, but you must successfully complete all eight papers, be awarded the qualification, AND have completed two years under the supervision of a Full Licence holder before you will be granted a full licence.
Locations | Online |
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Next intake | Jul 2021 View more details |
Study options |
1 year full-time, including holidays (if applicable) Up to two years part-time Part-time study available Offered online / partly online |
Total credits | 120 |
StudyLink assistance | Available |
Indicative Fees | $5,176 (approx $647 per topic/paper) total cost of qualification for domestic students View full fees information |
To see the information for international students change your location using the button at the top right of the screen.
Career opportunities
- Immigration adviser (licensed or unlicensed)
Topics you'll cover
This course was developed in collaboration with the Immigration Advisers Authority and the immigration advice industry, to meet New Zealand immigration adviser licencing requirements.
Details of licensing requirements can be found on the Immigration Advisers Authority website. We recommend that you check your eligibility for a licence by reading section 15 of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.
Learning in this course is sequential. All work and exams for papers LAWS6015, LAWS7012, LAWS7013 and LAWS7014 must be successfully completed before studying any subsequent papers.
PAPERS (in order.) Note the first four papers must be completed successfully before you can progress to the subsequent four papers.
1. LAWS6015 - Introduction to the Immigration Industry and Professional Responsibilities
- You will identify and explore the role of a licensed immigration adviser and the licensing requirements an adviser must operate within, investigate the professional responsibilities of an immigration adviser including the code of conduct, and identify the features of professional communication that are relevant to an immigration advisor.
2. LAWS7012 - Introduction to Immigration Law and Decision-Making
- You will analyse the legislative framework that guides the practice of immigration advisers, outline the New Zealand immigration visa system, explore immigration decision-making, navigate the Operational Manual and assess the factors that influence mandatory health and character requirements.
3. LAWS7013 - Temporary Entry, Compliance and Unlawful Status
- You will evaluate circumstances and give immigration advice in relation to temporary entry class visas, evaluate circumstances and give advice in relation to compliance and unlawful status. You will also be able to interpret and assess the relevance of a range of circumstances to applications and explore oral and written English communication skills that assist immigration advisers to work professionally with clients.
4. LAWS7014 - Residence
- You will learn to evaluate client circumstances and eligibility in relation to residence class and skilled migrant visa applications. You will also demonstrate your ability to consistently apply written English communication skills that assist immigration advisers to work professionally with clients.
5. LAWS7015 - Professional Practice
- You will investigate and implement aspects of practice as an immigration adviser including business practices, professional skills and ethical considerations in relation to the Code of Conduct and the Competency Standards and the application of communication skills when providing immigration advice.
6. LAWS7016 - Specialist Immigration Areas
- You will explore and apply professional knowledge and skills when working as an immigration adviser in a number of specialist immigration areas and apply written English skills to a professional standard when working with clients.
7. LAWS7017 - Managing Client Cases
- You will interpret and apply knowledge of New Zealand immigration law in relation to a series of client applications, demonstrate their ability to manage the demands of applications and representations from clients and apply the professional knowledge and skills expected of an immigration adviser, including using written and oral English language skills to advise a client in a variety of immigration situations.
8. LAWS7018 - Applied Practice (work placement)*
- This paper provides an opportunity for you to apply and evaluate professional practices relevant to a licensed immigration adviser, critically reflect on issues through the analysis of a series of cases and agency policies and practices, and consistently apply written and oral English language skills within the context of a work placement. This option will only be available to students who can attend a physical immigration advisory business where oversight can be supplied by a currently licensed New Zealand Immigration Adviser.
LAWS7018 Work Placement Handbook 2021
9. LAWS7019 - Applied Practice*
- This paper provides an opportunity for students to apply and evaluate professional practices relevant to a licensed immigration adviser, critically reflect on issues through the analysis of a series of cases and agency policies and practices, and consistently apply written and oral English language skills within the context of simulated work situations. This option will be available to students who are unable to arrange a work placement.
* You are required to enrol in either LAWS7018 or LAWS7019.
Course Fees
Indicative Fees * | $5,176 (approx $647 per topic/paper) total cost of qualification for domestic students |
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Fee variations if you're studying the course outside of New Zealand
If you’re a -
• New Zealand citizen studying the course outside of New Zealand, you will be charged the Domestic fee (excluding GST) - $4,501 (approx $563 per topic/paper) total cost of qualification.
Important Note: New Zealand Permanent Residents, Australian citizens and Australian Permanent Residents studying the course outside of New Zealand, will be charged International Fees (excluding GST).
Exam Fees per topic/paper
- $50 per topic/paper
* Important fee information, and hints and tips
Help with fees
Are you Eligible for Free Fees?
There are several ways to take advantage of free study at Toi Ohomai. Find out how on our Fees Free FAQ page.
Student Loans and Allowances
This course meets the requirements for student allowance and student loan applications through StudyLink.
- A student loan helps to pay for your course fees (the compulsory fees), study materials e.g. books, equipment, and living costs. You'll have to pay this money back.
- A student allowance is a weekly payment that can help with your living expenses while you’re studying. You don't have to pay the money back.
Find out more and apply at studylink.govt.nz
Scholarships
Scholarships are one way you might be able to get some financial help. Any scholarships specifically related to this course are shown below, otherwise check out the full list of scholarships promoted by Toi Ohomai.
Course Entry Information
Entry criteria
To assess your eligibility for a place on this course, you will need to provide evidence that you meet both the Academic AND English Language Competency entry requirements below.
Academic Requirements
- a certified copy of an undergraduate degree or equivalent educational experience as evidenced by a recognised equivalent qualification.
- if you did not complete your degree in New Zealand, but the university and the year you completed your qualification is one of those recognised on Immigration New Zealand's List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment at Level 7 or above, then we will also recognise it as meeting the academic entry requirement. However if your qualification is not recognised you will need to have your qualification assessed by the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) and forward us that assessment, OR
- for those who do not hold a degree or equivalent you will need to provide a letter requesting Special Admission accompanied by your C.V.
- the letter will need to outline equivalent practical and professional experience of having worked at a professional level in an area that required you to analyse and solve problems and demonstrate intellectual independence, analytical rigour and sound communication skills for a period of at least three years.
- you will also be required to complete our Toi Ohomai Statutory Declaration.
You are deemed to have met the Entry Criteria for this course if prior to 1 October 2016 you had:
- commenced or completed the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Graduate Certificate in New Zealand Immigration Advice (Level 7), OR
- commenced the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice (Level 7), OR
- held or previously held an immigration advisers licence issued under section 19 of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007
Other Considerations
You may be invited to participate in a telephone interview prior to Toi Ohomai offering you a place. This is your opportunity to find out more about the course content and to make sure you're on the most appropriate course for your career aspirations and current level of experience.
Twenty-five places will be reserved for people currently employed within immigration practices in each semester.
Your Employer must contact Toi Ohomai directly if this situation applies to you. Please note the Academic and English language entry criteria still needs to be met.
Computer Requirements
- access to a computer and reliable high speed internet service
- latest Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome
- microphone headset, web cam
- Microsoft Word minimum version 97-2003
- latest Adobe Flash and Reader (free to download from Adobe online)
English language requirements
English Language Competency Requirements
You MUST meet one of the requirements as outlined below. We cannot accept any other proof of English language proficiency.
1. have completed, within the two years immediately prior to enrolling:
- a). an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test with minimum academic scores of Writing 7.0, Reading 6.5, Listening 6.5, and Speaking 6.5 with a minimum overall IELTS academic band score of 7.0. Evidence of IELTS test scores achieved in more than one sitting is acceptable if you have taken the second and any subsequent IELTS tests within 12 months of the first test, OR
- b). a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test (iBT) with minimum scores of Writing 27, Reading 20, Listening 20, and Speaking 20 with a minimum total score of 100. Evidence of TOEFL test scores achieved in more than one sitting is acceptable if you have taken the second and any subsequent TOEFL tests within 12 months of the first test, OR
- c). a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) with minimum scores of Writing 65, Reading 58, Listening 58, and Speaking 58 with a minimum overall score of 65. Evidence of PTE Academic test scores achieved in more than one sitting is acceptable if you have taken the second and any subsequent PTE Academic tests within 12 months of the first test, OR
2. have completed in the English language and while living in New Zealand, Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America:
- a). all primary schooling (or equivalent) and at least three years secondary schooling (or equivalent), OR
- b). five years secondary schooling (or equivalent), OR
- c). a total of six years education comprising a completed bachelor degree (or equivalent tertiary qualification) of at least three years duration plus any combination of:
- secondary schooling equivalent to year 12, OR
- another completed bachelor degree (or equivalent tertiary qualification) undertaken at a different time to the course of study referred to in 2.c), OR
- a completed postgraduate qualification.
If you meet requirement 2.a), 2.b) or 2.c) please complete the Details of Schooling and Statutory Declaration forms as evidence.
Application Documents
- Domestic Student Cover Sheet
- International Student Cover Sheet
- International Insurance Disclaimer
- Statutory Declaration
- Details of Schooling
Following your online application please submit verified copies of your documents to one of the addresses below. Please note that the documents MUST be accompanied by the appropriate Cover Sheet (Domestic OR International) as above.
Domestic Students:
Faculty of Business, Management and Legal Studies
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Private Bag 12001
Tauranga 3143
NEW ZEALAND
International Students:
International Admissions
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Private Bag 12001
Tauranga 3143
NEW ZEALAND
Or drop into one of our Information Centres.
Course Locations and Intake Information
Location | Campus | Start Date | |
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Online | Online | 12 Jul 2021 |
Study options
- 1 year full-time, including holidays (if applicable)
- Up to two years part-time
- Part-time study available
- Offered online or partly online