The greatest asset of any organisation, be it a family, an educational institution, or a company, is people. On that score, we take pride in highlighting the progress of a few in our 15th Anniversary Issue. This column will continue in our future editions, and you could partner with us in promoting the image and success of our people.
Immigration is an emotional issue that affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. While Immigration officials must have in place rules, regulations, systems and procedures a regime that is heartless will soon lose its value.
New Zealand has its immigration regime well in place but there is a lot to be desired, according to Saif Shaikh, Managing Director of the Auckland based Immigration Advice New Zealand Limited.
An experienced, qualified and Licensed Immigration Advisor, he believes that the concerned authorities should exercise better control of the working of Licensed Immigration Advisers and discipline the erring ones.
Better control
“You see a rising number of advertisements in the media from immigration advisers. It is however sad that a lot of them are doing immigration as part-time jobs and hence do not give full attention to the immigration process. There are many jacks-of-all-trades. There are Immigration Advisers who also work in the insurance, real estate and other industries. This must stop. Immigration is serious business,” he said.
A lack of qualification among aspiring immigration agents prompted the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) to establish a six-month course in the Bay of Plenty.
But according to Mr Shaikh, the objective is not being achieved.
“Many licensed agents coming out of the institutions do not have the real world experience and hence could not figure out why the applications of their clients were nou successful at INZ. I believe that the web course should be extended in duration followed by an apprenticeship programme with an experienced Licensed Adviser who can provide ongoing guidance,” he said.
Principled life
A native of Mumbai, he and his wife Anahita (popularly known as Ana) migrated to New Zealand in 2002 and launched his career at the Social Development Ministry. There was steady income but that did not match his ambition.
Mr Shaikh was keen to take up a challenging role where decision-making would involve a host of issues including anxiety, judicious thinking and quality service delivery.
His assignment as a Warranted Immigration Officer at Immigration New Zealand (INZ) was a turning point in his life and career.
Great Training
“It was a great training ground as I had the opportunity to handle some really exciting and challenging projects. I not only tackled complex cases but also trained other immigration officers on the job. It was no doubt a government job but came with responsibilities with the ability to take decisions; such decisions often affects lives of people,” he said.
He augmented his qualification as a graduate (Bachelor’s Degree) in Commerce from the University of Pune, with a Professional Certificate in ‘Immigration Law and Practice’ from Massey University.
Own Practice
In 2008, Mr Shaikh decided that he would be able to assist more people through the immigration process and hence established ‘Immigration Advice New Zealand Limited’ The decision turned out to be propitious, for there was a growing need for qualified and experienced Immigration Advisers as the Government began to express concern over growing complaints against shoddy agents.
Mr Shaikh said that his firm offers a wide range of immigration services including for people keen to study, work, invest, do business or live permanently in New Zealand.
He is proud that his Company has helped diverse clients from diverse ethnic backgrounds with diverse problems.
Impressive growth
“It has been an absolute honour to advice customers on complex cases and process applications that may have a strong emotional base but may not satisfy immigration requirements. I take up all challenging cases on three major principles – no false promises, no deviation from honesty and integrity; and absolute transparency of all matters dealt with all officials on all cases. It is easy to go astray,” Mr Shaikh said.
Immigration Advice New Zealand Limited today boasts of a team of nine persons with further expansion on the cards.
Mr Shaikh attributes the high rate of success that he achieved for his clients to good systems and processes. He said that every application is studied with intent before submission to INZ with all relevant documents.
“Officially, an average time taken to process a residence application is about six to nine months. There have however been cases when the turnaround has been quick. In the case of one case, INZ approved a residence application in ten days!” Mr Shaikh said.
Changing market
Mr Shaikh believes that the increasing number of Kiwis returning to New Zealand from Australia and other countries will eventually affect people with long-term visas.
“Experienced Immigration Advisers must work out different options. One of my clients, a truck driver, was on work visa for ten years. Tired of extending the visa every year, he approached us to help him file his application for permanent residency. We suggested that his wife should pursue a short-term course, following which she secured employment in the same field. Both of them got their permanent residency,” he said.
Mr Shaikh is a young man who runs two young families- one with his wife Anahita (better known as Ana) and children, and the other with his team of nine Licensed and Potential Immigration Advisers (including Ana). As he balances his life and work between the two, he is aware that accuracy is important in this business.
