Immigration New Zealand is offering to help prospective migrants who may have been caught out by New Zealand-based consultants who failed to be licensed by Monday this week as required by law.
It was reported on Monday that only 171 of an estimated 1200 immigration consultants had been licensed so far -- affecting hundreds of would-be migrants.
Immigration New Zealand head Andrew Annakin said today officials had set up an escalation process for people who have yet to have an application lodged, but who may have paid money to unregistered consultants and wanted help.
"I sympathise with anyone who may be worried about their application as a result of the new provisions which have come into effect and we will do our utmost to help them," he said.
"Prospective migrants with any concerns about their situation should call our contact centre in the first instance. If they need help with their application the contact centre will get their details and arrange for an officer at the closest branch to call them back within 24 hours to arrange for an appointment."
Mr Annakin said applicants could also go into a branch and get help to put their application together, or find a licensed adviser to complete their application.
Immigration NZ would continue to process all applications received before May 4.
He urged people who had paid money to unlicensed advisers to seek a refund and, if necessary, take action to recover their money. Community Law Centres and Citizens Advice Bureaux may be able to assist those migrants.
"Up to now anybody could call themselves an immigration adviser and some migrants have been ripped off," Mr Annakin said.
