Working with the IAA to get to the bottom of things.

July 27, 2009 by Avalon
Filed under: NZIS & Immigration issues

Over the past few weeks, there have been a flurry of emails between myself and the IAA to try and get to the bottom of what exactly I (and any other migrant) can blog about, post on forums about and even talk to other migrants about.

What started out looking like a hopeless waste of time, has turned into something that may actually be of benefit to a lot more people than just me, so I’m glad I stuck to my guns and tried to sort things through.

At the base of the problem is that the legislation prevents anyone from giving Immigration Advice, but you actually have to be working as an immigration Agent in order to apply to be registered. That is: you have to keep client files and business records. If you don’t have these things – you cannot apply to be licensed as an advisor.

I truly feel that the this problem has been caused solely by the people who wrote the law, without bothering to pick up a dictionary and read the difference between the word Advisor and Agent. It is one of those slips of sheer monumental stupidity that often causes just this amount of confusion and mayhem.

(It’s even more insulting when you realise that when trying to apply to be a licensed advisor, you once again have to prove a very high level of ability in the English language. Much better than the plonkers who wrote the law!).

Well, the upshot of this is, that the IAA are also not actually to blame for the mess we find ourselves in – as they are just the ones who have to deal with this pile of hooey. To be fair it’s also not the fault of the current government, as they did not write this law, no matter how much it may be fun to blame them – though a brief read of it should tell them its rubbish and they need to rewrite it from scratch.

I’ve spoken to the IAA today, as they asked if they could have a chat with me. This was basically because I need to be told in writing that I qualify for a free application (usually it’s nearly $2000) as a not-for-profit organisation. (While I sell a book, that has nothing to do with Immigration Advice – I do not and never have charged people to pass on what I know about the immigration process – it’s kind of a hobby).

It was a lovely chat – and I am very grateful to the IAA for taking the time to try and understand the issue, and for understanding the mess we are in. They have gone to do some more research and get some advice on the issue, so I wait to hear back. This does mean that I am holding off on writing to the Immigration Minister until I find out where the IAA will stand on the issue of blogs, forums and freedom of speech for migrants.

I’ll keep you posted.