Why Study "Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice (Level 7)"

The Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice (Level 7) is a specialised postgraduate-level qualification designed for people who want to develop the knowledge and professional skills required to work as a New Zealand immigration adviser. The programme is delivered completely online, can be studied from anywhere in the world, and has been developed in collaboration with the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) and the immigration advice industry to meet New Zealand immigration adviser licensing requirements. Toi Ohomai states that it is currently the only institute in New Zealand offering this qualification.

• Level of study: Level 7 Graduate Diploma
• Field: Legal Studies / Immigration Advice
• Campus: Online; no physical campus attendance is required
• Mode of learning: Fully online, including scheduled tutorials and online examinations
• Duration: 1 year full-time; part-time study is also available
• Total credits: 120
• Students can study from New Zealand or overseas.
• The programme is particularly suitable for graduates and professionals interested in immigration law, visa applications, client advisory work and the licensed immigration adviser pathway.

Key Benefits

The programme provides specialised knowledge of New Zealand immigration law, visa categories, professional responsibilities and client case management. Successful completion of the qualification provides the educational pathway required for applying for a New Zealand immigration adviser licence, subject to meeting the separate licensing requirements of the Immigration Advisers Authority.

• Specialised qualification focused specifically on New Zealand immigration advice.
• Fully online delivery allows students to study from overseas or while working.
• Develops knowledge of New Zealand immigration legislation, visa processes and professional practice.
• Covers temporary entry, residence, specialist immigration matters, compliance and deportation.
• The first four papers can support an application for a provisional immigration adviser licence, subject to IAA requirements and an approved supervision arrangement.
• Full qualification completion does not automatically grant a licence; graduates must separately apply to the Immigration Advisers Authority.
• Part-time study is available for students who need to balance study with employment or other commitments.

Program Structure

The programme consists of eight papers worth a total of 120 credits. Study is sequential: students must successfully complete the first four papers before progressing to the final four. A full-time student normally studies three or four papers, while part-time students can study one or two papers per semester. Each paper involves approximately 13 weeks of coursework followed by a study week and examination week.

• LAWS6015 – Immigration Industry and Professional Responsibilities
  • Immigration adviser roles, licensing requirements, professional responsibilities, communication and the Code of Conduct.
• LAWS7012 – Immigration Law and Decision-Making
  • New Zealand immigration legislation, visa systems, immigration decision-making, the Operational Manual, health and character requirements.
• LAWS7022 – Temporary Entry
  • Temporary entry visas, client circumstances, application assessment and professional written and oral communication.
• LAWS7014 – Residence
  • Residence-class visas, skilled migrant applications, client eligibility and professional communication.
• LAWS7015 – Professional Practice
  • Business practices, professional skills, ethical responsibilities, the Code of Conduct and Competency Standards.
• LAWS7016 – Specialist Immigration Areas
  • Specialist areas of immigration advice and professional client communication.
• LAWS7017 – Managing Client Cases
  • Client applications, case management, representations and providing immigration advice in different situations.
• LAWS7021 – Compliance, Unlawful Status and Deportation
  • Compliance matters, unlawful status, deportation and professional immigration advice.

Discipline / Specialisation

The programme sits within the Legal Studies discipline and specialises specifically in New Zealand immigration advice. There are no separate strands or specialisations listed for this qualification. The curriculum concentrates on immigration law, visa and residence matters, professional practice, client management, compliance and the regulatory requirements governing licensed immigration advisers.

Programme Highlights

• Qualification: Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice (Level 7)
• Duration: 1 year full-time, with part-time study available.
• Credits: 120.
• Delivery: 100% online.
• Location: Online; students can study from anywhere in the world.
• 2027 intakes currently listed:
  • 22 February 2027
  • 12 July 2027
• Online examinations are used, including for students studying from overseas.
• The course has strict academic and English-language requirements because its entry requirements are aligned with the Immigration Advisers Authority's competency requirements.
• The programme is heavily subscribed. Toi Ohomai states that places cannot be reserved and conditional offers are not provided when applicants have not yet met all required entry criteria.
• Students need a suitable computer and reliable internet connection for online study and assessments.

Career Outcomes

Graduates can pursue professional opportunities in the New Zealand immigration advice sector, including immigration advisory practices and related legal or professional services. Completion of the qualification is an important educational step toward becoming a licensed immigration adviser, but graduates must separately satisfy the Immigration Advisers Authority's licensing requirements. Potential work settings can include immigration agencies, law firms, government-related organisations and independent immigration advisory practices.

• Immigration Adviser, subject to obtaining the required licence.
• Immigration advisory firms and agencies.
• Immigration-related roles within legal or professional services.
• Client and visa application support roles.
• Potential to establish an immigration advisory practice after meeting the applicable licensing and professional requirements.
• After completing the first four papers, students may be eligible to apply for a provisional licence with an approved full-licence supervisor.
• A provisional licence requires supervision; the IAA states that a provisional licence holder generally needs to hold the provisional licence for at least 24 months before applying to upgrade to a full licence, subject to the applicable requirements.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students should pay particular attention to the visa situation because this course is completely online. Toi Ohomai specifically states that students cannot obtain a New Zealand student visa for this programme because the course does not require attendance at the institute. Therefore, students living overseas can study online from their home country without obtaining a New Zealand student visa for this course.

• Overseas students can study the programme online from their country of residence.
• A New Zealand student visa is not available for this fully online programme.
• International students who are already living in New Zealand on an appropriate work visa may be able to study part-time by applying for a Variation of Conditions (VOC), subject to Immigration New Zealand requirements.
• If studying in New Zealand under a work visa and VOC arrangement, Toi Ohomai requires evidence of the valid visa and Variation of Conditions covering the enrolment period.
• Completing the qualification does not itself provide an immigration adviser licence or a right to work in New Zealand.
• Licensing is a separate process administered by the Immigration Advisers Authority.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The Toi Ohomai course page was last updated on 11 September 2026. The currently published 2027 information lists February and July online intakes. The international course list currently shows an indicative international tuition fee of NZD $27,315 for the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice (Level 7) for the February 2027 intake. However, Toi Ohomai's detailed course page states that 2027 fees are still being confirmed, so applicants should treat the international course-list amount as indicative rather than final.

• Academic entry requirement:
  • A completed undergraduate degree from New Zealand; or
  • An overseas qualification recognised by Immigration New Zealand as equivalent to a New Zealand undergraduate degree; or
  • An overseas qualification assessed by NZQA as equivalent to a New Zealand undergraduate degree, supported by an International Qualification Assessment (IQA).
• Special admission may be considered where an applicant can demonstrate practical, professional or educational experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree. Supporting evidence can include a CV, cover letter, employment references and relevant tertiary qualifications.
• English requirements are strict:
  • IELTS Academic: overall 7.0, with Writing 7.0 and Reading, Listening and Speaking at least 6.5; or
  • TOEFL iBT: total 100, with Writing 27 and Reading, Listening and Speaking at least 20; or
  • PTE Academic: overall 65, with Writing 65 and Reading, Listening and Speaking at least 58.
• English tests must generally have been completed within the previous two years.
• Home-based/online versions such as IELTS Online and PTE Academic Online are not accepted.
• Applicants who meet the specified education-in-English pathways may not need an English test.
• All applicants must provide a completed GDNZIA statutory declaration and certified identity/supporting documents.
• Applications are competitive, and Toi Ohomai does not reserve places or provide conditional offers where entry requirements have not been fully met.
• Fees and funding: the current international course list indicates NZD $27,315 for international students, while the detailed course page says the 2027 fee is still to be confirmed. StudyLink assistance is listed for the programme, but this is primarily relevant to eligible domestic students rather than overseas students.
• Scholarships: Toi Ohomai's current scholarship information lists institution-wide scholarships and funding opportunities, but no current 2027 scholarship specifically dedicated to this Graduate Diploma is identified on the current scholarship listing. A previous EzyMigrate Immigration Advice Scholarship provided NZD $5,000 and allowed domestic and international applicants, but that published scholarship was specifically for the 2024 intake and should not be treated as a current 2027 scholarship.
• Licensing pathway: completing all eight papers and receiving the qualification is an educational requirement, but applicants must separately apply to the Immigration Advisers Authority and meet its licensing, supervision and other requirements.