Wellington based Aparna Prakash has just launched her career as an Immigration Advisor, after being qualified with a Licence to operate as an Immigration Adviser by the Immigration Licensing Authority.
Her Company, ‘Kiwi Fern Immigration Services Limited’ is less than two months old but she is gratified by public response.
A native of Pune, Mrs Prakash belongs to a Tamilian family and has had her education in Kanpur, Jabalpur and Indore in India. Later, she worked in Thailand as a secondary school teacher and obtained a similar job in Wellington, following her marriage to Rattan who works as the National Manager (Operations) at the Federation of Multicultural Councils of New Zealand based in the Capital.
Although somewhat cumbersome and time-consuming, Mrs Prakash believes that the procedures and processes followed by INA are fair, providing ample opportunities to prospective migrants to gain a positive outcome.
“”I am from India and my husband is from Fiji. We have had family members migrate from both countries under various categories. INZ follows a common process of scrutiny in dealing with all applicants, irrespective of their ethnicity or country of origin. We should remember and appreciate the fact that it is also the duty of the immigration officers to protect our borders on the one hand and ensure that right applicants come into the country,” she said.
Community encouragement
She said that she was encouraged to undergo the tough licensing procedure because she believes that she could assist people with their applications with Immigration New Zealand, offering appropriate advice and assisting them to follow the prescribed procedures.
“Many people come to us for help with their immigration and settlement matters. We have helped many international students in their quest to seek jobs, conversion and extension of their visas. For example, we used to help them in responding to letters that they receive from Immigration New Zealand INZ,” she said.
Free assistance
She said that she and her husband Rattan Prakash work closely with the migrant and ethnic communities for their successful settlement in New Zealand.
Such help included writing community reference letters for partnerships and family reunion support.
The License regime
Mrs Prakash said that since the enforcement of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, people like her could not support people in need since the Statute required those offering help should hold a valid Immigration Adviser Licence.
She decided to undergo the rigorous process, gain qualifications, License, and launch ‘Kiwi Fern Immigration Services.’
“It has been a rewarding experience to see a smile on the faces of people, who have reposed their trust in us,” she said.
The IAA has issued licences to hundreds of qualified people in the country, in addition to immigration lawyers who are exempt from the licensing regime.
Surging demand
Mrs Prakash does not believe that the immigration market is overcrowded, as there is still a dearth of credible advisers and advisers with links offshore to bring skilled migrants to work in sectors and regions where there is shortage of human resources.
She however conceded that sustaining the business would be another challenge but she is confident of achieving success, especially since a large number of people struggle to find affordable immigration advisers to assist them.
Focus on clients
Mrs Prakash said that her company would remain focused on the community and that she understands the needs, problems and challenges faced by people.
“There are difficulties and barriers faced by them. Our fees are reasonable. We not only provide transparent and sound advice, but also help in their settlement following their migration to New Zealand. However, we decide to service a client only after a thorough scrutiny of their bona fides, qualifications, skills and chances of success at INZ. Our clients can contact us anytime relating to issues such as Inland Revenue, health, transport, driving licence and children’s education,” she said, and added that a number of friends and potential clients have congratulated her on her venture.
“The significant number of inquiries that we have been receiving is encouraging and we are currently working on a number of positive leads.”
Trusted Partnership
Mr Prakash was however not in favour of ‘Trusted Partnership Proposal’ of IAA, which was under discussion recently.
“This Proposal limited the advocacy on behalf of clients. In some genuine cases, some clients may not have the skill to prepare their immigration documents. A licensed adviser or lawyer would have the expertise to advocate the case of a client strongly. The Policy was not client-focused and was contrary to the Code of Conduct for licensed immigration advisers,” she said.
As Immigration Lawyer Kamil Lakshman wrote in her regular column (Indian Newslink, October 1, 2014), that the proposal has been shelved.
Mrs Prakash is happy that a consultation process is currently in place relating to a programme of study for immigration advisers and amendments to the licensing regime.
“A number of changes are likely, affecting new graduates, length of their study, compulsory CPD and increased course costs,” Mrs Prakash said.
