File photo. Photo: 123RF
An unlicensed adviser who strung a family along for months with false promises of residence will serve two months of community detention and carry out 100 hours of community work.
Gregory Francisco Smith, 56, was found guilty at Manukau District Court of providing unlicensed advice and was also ordered to repay $4400.
The Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) started legal proceedings against Smith, who had lost his Immigration Adviser's Licence in 2015 after four previous complaints.
Smith repeatedly confirmed to migrants that he had submitted a residence application with Immigration New Zealand and later assured one victim that an interim visa was on its way.
No applications had ever been made.
"Mr Smith's actions led to the victim's stay becoming unlawful causing significant financial loss and severe stress to the victim and his family," said Registrar of Immigration Advisers Duncan Connor.
"Mr Smith took advantage of the knowledge he had, being a licensed immigration adviser in the past, and continued to provide advice knowing fully well he wasn't entitled to do so."
The IAA's online register of licensed advisers is available [www.iaa.govt.nz here.]