Licence status
Current
A licensed immigration adviser with a current licence is permitted to provide immigration
advice in line with the code of conduct.
Licences are valid for one year.
Expired
Licences must be renewed annually. If no application to renew the licence is made
on or before the licence expiry date, the licence is considered expired. It must
then be recorded in the register of licensed immigration advisers.
For more information, see
section 33 of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.
Surrendered
A licensed adviser can at any time voluntarily surrender that licence by written
notice to the Registrar of Immigration Advisers. The surrender takes effect on the
date given in the notice or, if no such date is given, on the day the notice is
received by the Registrar.
For more information, see
section 31 of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.
Refused
To obtain and hold a licence, advisers will have to meet competency standards, adhere
to a code of conduct, pay any relevant fees and/or levies, and be "fit" to practise.
An applicant's personal history will be considered, including criminal convictions,
immigration offences, bankruptcy or other issues that might make them unsuitable
to provide immigration advice and receive a licence.
Should an applicant not meet these conditions, they may be refused a licence (refused
applicants have the right to appeal the Registrar's decision to the District Court).
All refused applicants must be listed on the register of immigration advisers.
For more information, see
sections 18-21 and
section 78 of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.
Suspended
The Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal can suspend an adviser's
licence as a disciplinary measure.
A licence can also be suspended by the Tribunal if all the following conditions
are met:
- A complaint has been made against an adviser;
- The complaint has been referred to the Tribunal;
- The complaint is being prepared for submission to the Tribunal; and
- The Tribunal considers that suspension is in the public's best interest.
A person whose licence has been suspended may not apply for a further licence throughout
the duration of the suspension.
For more information, see
section 29 of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.
Cancelled
Licences can be cancelled if:
- the licensee is prohibited from holding a licence under the Immigration Advisers
Licensing Act;
- the licence was granted on the basis of false or fraudulent information;
- the licence or renewal application fee (or Adviser's levy) was paid by means that
have subsequently been dishonoured; or
- the licensee has died.
Advisers who breach the code of conduct can also have their licences cancelled by
the Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal.
For more information, see
section 27 of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.
