Why Study "New Zealand Immigration Advice Refresher Course"

The New Zealand Immigration Advice Refresher Course at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is a short, fully online professional refresher course designed for people who need to refresh their immigration advice knowledge before re-applying for an immigration adviser licence. It focuses on current New Zealand immigration law, policies, professional responsibilities and practical immigration-advice processes. The course is particularly relevant to current or former immigration advisers and people who have completed an approved immigration advice qualification.

• Level of study: Level 7 training scheme/professional refresher course.
• Study mode: Fully online.
• Campus/location: Online; no physical campus attendance is required.
• Duration: Approximately 6 weeks full-time, with around 100 learning hours.
• July 2027 intake is scheduled to be delivered part-time over 12 weeks.
• Credits: No academic credits are awarded for successful completion.
• Completion award: Toi Ohomai Achievement Record and Confirmation of Completion.

Key Benefits

This course allows eligible immigration professionals to update their knowledge before progressing with immigration adviser licensing requirements. It provides focused learning on current immigration rules and professional practice without requiring students to complete the full Graduate Diploma again.

• Updates knowledge of current New Zealand immigration law and policies.
• Covers professional responsibilities and regulatory requirements.
• Refreshes knowledge of temporary and residence visa categories.
• Develops understanding of immigration documentation and application forms.
• Strengthens professional written and oral communication.
• Includes practical learning activities, case studies, online tests, quizzes and discussion forums.
• No formal examination is required.
• No English-language requirement is listed for this specific refresher course.

Program Structure

The course is delivered completely online and requires approximately 100 learning hours. Students must participate in the coursework and successfully complete both assessments to receive the Toi Ohomai Achievement Record. The programme does not provide academic credits.

Main topics include:

• Regulatory Framework – Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, Immigration Advisers Authority, Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal, Code of Conduct and Competency Standards.
• Immigration Law and Instructions – temporary visas, residence visas and Immigration New Zealand processes.
• Immigration Documentation – professional practice documents, visa application forms and supporting documentation.
• Professional Communication – communication with clients, immigration decision-makers, regulatory bodies and industry colleagues.

Discipline / Specialisation

The course sits within the Legal Studies and Immigration Advice area and is specifically focused on New Zealand immigration advice practice.

There are no separate specialisations or strands listed for this refresher course. Its focus is on updating knowledge across immigration law, visa processes, documentation, regulatory obligations and professional communication.

Programme Highlights

• Fully online study, allowing learners to participate without attending a Toi Ohomai campus.
• Approximately 100 hours of learning over the standard 6-week full-time format.
• Designed specifically as a refresher rather than a full initial immigration-advice qualification.
• Current course content is drawn from the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice.
• Assessment can include written assessments, online tests and quizzes, case studies and online discussion forums.
• No examination is required.
• Current listed 2027 intake dates are 22 February, 26 April, 12 July and 13 September 2027.
• The July 2027 intake is the exception to the standard format and is planned as a 12-week part-time delivery.

Career Outcomes

The main professional outcome associated with the course is continued preparation for work as a Licensed Immigration Adviser. The course is intended to refresh knowledge needed by eligible immigration professionals rather than provide a broad entry-level career qualification.

Potential professional application includes:

• Licensed Immigration Adviser.
• Immigration advice and application support.
• Immigration consultancy and advisory practice.
• Professional work involving New Zealand visa and immigration processes.

Successful completion of the course does not itself mean that a person automatically becomes licensed; licensing requirements should be confirmed with the Immigration Advisers Authority.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

This course is delivered entirely online, so international students do not need to travel to New Zealand to undertake the programme. Because the course is only around six weeks and is delivered online, it should not be treated as a conventional on-campus international programme leading to a New Zealand student visa.

• Students studying from overseas can complete the course online.
• A New Zealand student visa is generally intended for students undertaking qualifying study in New Zealand; Immigration New Zealand states that study of more than three months in New Zealand normally requires a student visa.
• If an applicant already holds a New Zealand visa and intends to undertake the course while physically in New Zealand, they should check that their existing visa conditions permit the study.
• Visa and immigration requirements can change, so applicants should confirm their individual circumstances directly with Immigration New Zealand before making travel or visa arrangements.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The Toi Ohomai course page was updated on 15 September 2026. The latest listed 2027 intakes are 22 February, 26 April, 12 July and 13 September 2027. The July 2027 intake is scheduled as a 12-week part-time course, while the other listed intakes are delivered full-time over six weeks.

Important eligibility requirements:

• Applicants must hold a current Immigration Adviser Licence; or
• Have previously held an Immigration Adviser Licence; or
• Have completed an approved entry course recognised by the Immigration Advisers Authority; or
• Have completed an approved qualification recognised by the Immigration Advisers Authority; or
• Have been directed to complete the refresher course by the Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal or Immigration Advisers Authority.
• Applicants are advised to confirm their individual licensing/refresher requirement with the Immigration Advisers Authority.
• Students must have a computer and reliable high-speed internet connection.
• There is no English-language requirement specified for this course.