Reviewed by John Hu, founder of John Hu Migration Consulting and Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0746141).
On 4 October 2026, the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) — the immigration adviser regulator under New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) — officially renewed a Full Licence for Willie Hu, license number 202000740, valid through 3 October 2027.
This marks Willie’s second consecutive Full Licence renewal, since upgrading from a Provisional Licence to Full Licence in October 2024 via the TTMRA (Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement). His licensing history runs continuously back to September 2020, reflecting a sustained, long-term commitment to New Zealand’s migration advisory market.
Together with John Hu (IAA 201200755), John Hu Migration Consulting is now one of the few firms in Hong Kong with two licensed advisers holding both IAA (New Zealand) and MARA (Australia) licenses concurrently active.
What Is the IAA, and Why Does This License Matter?
The IAA — An Independent Regulator of the New Zealand Government
The Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) is a state body established under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, with a single mandate: to manage and license individuals authorized to provide immigration advisory services in New Zealand.
By law, anyone charging a fee to provide New Zealand immigration advice — regardless of where they’re based — must hold a current IAA license, or be a lawyer registered to practice in New Zealand. There are no exceptions.
Two Levels of IAA License
- Provisional Licence: issued to individuals building practical experience — required to work under the supervision of a Full Licence holder, and unable to sign or file applications independently
- Full Licence: issued to advisers who meet the full standard of qualification, experience, and professional conduct — authorized to practice independently, sign directly on applications submitted to INZ, and bear full legal responsibility for each case
Willie Hu holds a Full Licence — the highest level within the IAA system.
Requirements to Maintain a Full Licence
To maintain an IAA Full Licence, an adviser must renew annually and demonstrate:
- Completion of sufficient hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as required by the IAA
- Maintenance of valid Professional Indemnity Insurance
- No breaches of the IAA’s Code of Conduct
- Submission of a complete annual report to the IAA
Every renewal represents a comprehensive review by the IAA.
Willie Hu’s IAA License History
According to the public IAA Register, Willie’s renewal history is as follows:
| Date | Filing type | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 29/09/2020 | Provisional licence – TTMRA application | Began practicing in New Zealand via the Australia-NZ mutual recognition agreement |
| 29/09/2021 | Provisional licence – Renewal | Year 1 renewal — meeting CPD and standards |
| 29/09/2022 | Provisional licence – Renewal | Year 2 renewal |
| 29/09/2023 | Provisional licence – Renewal | Year 3 renewal |
| 04/10/2024 | Full licence – TTMRA application | Upgraded to Full Licence — meeting independent-practice standards |
| 24/09/2025 | Full licence – Renewal | Full Licence year 1 renewal |
| 02/09/2026 | Full licence – Renewal | Full Licence year 2 renewal — valid through 3 October 2027 |
Six consecutive years holding a current, valid IAA license, with no gaps — strong evidence of sustained compliance with New Zealand’s regulatory requirements and consistent professionalism throughout.
Why Investors Should Work With a Licensed IAA Adviser
Reason 1 — Direct Legal Protection
Working with a licensed IAA adviser means an investor is protected by the Licensed Immigration Advisers Code of Conduct — a legally binding code the IAA supervises and enforces. If an adviser breaches it — providing false information, acting unprofessionally, causing harm to a client — the investor has a formal complaint channel to the IAA and may be entitled to compensation. With an unlicensed adviser, no such legal protection mechanism exists, regardless of any civil contract signed.
Reason 2 — Only an IAA Adviser Can Sign Directly With INZ
Applications for the Active Investor Plus Visa, Business Investor Work Visa, and every New Zealand migration category must be personally signed by a licensed IAA adviser before submission to Immigration New Zealand. If an application is prepared by an unlicensed person — even someone with genuine expertise — the application has no legal standing, and INZ is entitled to refuse to process it.
Reason 3 — Direct Policy Updates From INZ
Licensed IAA advisers have a legal obligation to keep their professional knowledge current — including completing CPD to annual requirements. This ensures any policy change from INZ — such as Amendment Circulars or regulatory updates — is reflected immediately in how applications are prepared, rather than weeks after the news spreads.
Reason 4 — Clear Legal Accountability
Licensed IAA advisers are required to maintain valid professional indemnity insurance. If an error in an application causes loss to an investor, the investor has a legal basis to claim compensation through that insurance.
Reason 5 — Publicly and Transparently Verifiable
An IAA license can be verified publicly at iaa.govt.nz — anyone can instantly check whether a specific adviser currently holds a valid license. There’s no need to take a self-introduction on faith — data from a New Zealand government agency is the only source of verification that carries real weight.
The Risks of Working With a Firm That Has No IAA License
In the Hong Kong market, a fair number of migration consulting firms offer New Zealand migration services without a single adviser holding an IAA license. This exposes investors to genuine risk:
- Legal risk: an application prepared by someone without an IAA license breaches the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 — INZ can refuse to process it or require it be redone from scratch
- Information risk: there’s no binding mechanism ensuring the advice given is accurate and current. New Zealand immigration policy changes frequently — inaccurate information can lead to a refused application or lost committed capital
- Financial risk: for AIP applications involving NZD 5 million or more, a single mistake at the preparation stage can lead to the application being refused and all preparation costs lost — with no professional insurance and no compensation mechanism
- Credibility risk with INZ: INZ tracks applications originating from the same source — repeated refusals from the same firm can affect subsequent applications, even after the case is later handed to a licensed adviser
MARA (Australia) + IAA (New Zealand): Why This Combination Matters for a Dual Citizenship Strategy
For investors pursuing an Australia-New Zealand dual citizenship strategy through the Active Investor Plus Visa, the legal standing of their advisory firm becomes especially important.
- For advice on the New Zealand side: a current IAA license is required — only a licensed adviser is authorized to provide paid New Zealand migration advice and sign applications with INZ
- For advice on the Australia side — including the Resident Return Visa, applying for an Australian Resident Visa while in New Zealand, and the pathway to Australian citizenship via SCV: a current MARA license is required (Migration Agents Registration Authority — Australia’s migration agent regulator)
John Hu Migration Consulting: Publicly Verifiable Legal Authority
John Hu Migration Consulting is one of the few firms in Hong Kong with two migration advisers formally licensed by both the Australian Government (MARA) and the New Zealand Government (IAA):
Willie Hu:
- IAA (New Zealand): 202000740 – Full Licence, valid through 3 October 2027
- MARA (Australia): 1807967
John Hu:
- IAA (New Zealand): 201200755
- MARA (Australia): 0748141
All licenses above can be independently verified at iaa.govt.nz and mara.gov.au.
FAQ
- Why does it matter whether an adviser holds an IAA license?
Because providing paid immigration advice in New Zealand is a regulated activity requiring a license. Working with an unlicensed adviser means an applicant may not be protected under the relevant regulatory framework if a dispute arises, and it can even affect the legal standing of the application itself.
- How do Willie Ho-Fung Hu and John Bosco Hu's roles differ?
Both hold current IAA (New Zealand) and MARA (Australia) licenses simultaneously, giving them legally recognized standing to advise on migration matters across both countries — particularly relevant for investors planning an Active Investor Plus Visa application alongside an Australia-New Zealand dual citizenship strategy.
To see the New Zealand migration programs Willie Hu and the team can advise on, review New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus visa details or an overview of the Business Investor Visa (BIV); see also the companion piece, John Hu Officially Renews His NZ IAA License — 14 Years Running, for the full background on both of John Hu Migration Consulting’s licensed advisers.
John Hu Migration Consulting was founded in Hong Kong in 2009 and has spent 17 years helping more than 6,000 families relocate successfully. It’s one of the few firms in Hong Kong with directly licensed immigration advisers in both Australia (MARA) and New Zealand (IAA). Every case is personally reviewed, signed off, and supervised end-to-end by a licensed adviser.
Outcomes, processing times, and follow-on status arrangements vary by applicant background, case specifics, documentation completeness, and official approval requirements. The above is for reference only and does not constitute a guarantee of approval or investment advice.
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