New Zealand Immigration Foundations Program
For Australian Registered Migration Agents
This comprehensive training program is designed as a full foundation pathway for Australian RMAs who want to confidently advise on New Zealand immigration.
Delivered as a structured series of 28 practitioner-level workshops, the program covers the entire NZ immigration system — from core visa architecture through to skilled, business, investor, compliance, refugee, and capstone decision-making.
The program is ideal if you:
- Are new to New Zealand immigration
- Want a structured, end-to-end understanding of the NZ system
- Need practical knowledge to support investor, business, skilled, and family clients
- Want confidence navigating NZ legislation, policy, process, and professional obligations
Each workshop is focused, practical, and designed specifically for Australian RMAs, with clear comparisons to the Australian framework where helpful.
Each class is 1 hour and will be conducted every Tuesday at 11AM Perth / 2PM Melbourne & Sydney (may change after daylight savings). Classes will include case studies where relevant.
What the Program Covers
The program is structured into themed blocks, including:
- Core NZ visa framework and pathways
- Skilled, student, and employer-based visas
- Investor and business migration (AIP & BIV)
- Health, character, and ministerial discretion
- Compliance, IAA obligations, and practice management
- Refugee and protection pathways
- Capstone session covering applications from lodgement to decision
Schedule Details
Code | Date | Block (group) | Class name | Brief description |
CF1 | 10/02/2026 | Core framework & critical pathways | NZ Visa System: Temporary vs Residence – the map | Overview of NZ visa landscape; how temporary visas differ from residence/PR. |
CF2 | 17/02/2026 | Residence & Permanent Residence (PR) essentials | Key rules, pathways, and conditions for residence vs permanent residence. | |
CF3 | 24/02/2026 | Australians to NZ residence & PR | Settings for Australians moving to NZ residence/PR. | |
CF4 | 03/03/2026 | Partners : Visitor to Work to Residence/PR | Partner pathways: visitor → work → residence/PR. | |
CF5 | 10/03/2026 | Visitors | Visitor visa types, conditions, and common pitfalls. | |
CF6 | 17/03/2026 | Accredited Employer Work Visa | AEWV framework, employer accreditation, roles, and criteria. | |
CF7 | 31/03/2026 | Skilled Migrant Category | Points/eligibility and application flow for SMC residence. | |
CF8 | 07/04/2026 | Student (including post study work) | Student visas, conditions, and post-study work options. | |
IB1 | 14/04/2026 | Investors & Business | Active Investor Plus (AIP): overview & process | AIP fundamentals, qualifying investments, and process steps. |
IB2 | 21/04/2026 | Active Investor Plus (AIP): ecosystem introduction (partners, stakeholders) | The AIP stakeholder ecosystem and how participants interact. | |
IB3 | 28/04/2026 | Temporary retirement (visitor) & Parent Retirement (residence) | Retirement-focused visitor and residence options; key differences. | |
IB4 | 05/05/2026 | Business Investor Visa (BIV): work & residence visa | BIV pathways from work to residence, investment criteria, timelines. | |
IB5 | 12/05/2026 | Business Investor Visa (BIV): ecosystem introduction (partners, stakeholders) | BIV stakeholders and support channels. | |
IA1 | 19/05/2026 | Immigration administration | Administration Essentials (including translations, OIA, lodgement, time limits etc) | Practical admin: translations, OIA, filing/lodgement, deadlines. |
IA2 | 26/05/2026 | Health & Health Waivers | Health requirements, evidence, and waiver mechanics. | |
IA3 | 02/06/2026 | Character & Character Waivers | Character checks, issues, and waiver assessments. | |
IA4 | 09/06/2026 | Ministerial discretions: special directions & absolute discretion | When/how Ministerial powers apply; engagement approaches. | |
SK1 | 16/06/2026 | Skilled | Work (temporary work visas excluding AEWV) | Non-AEWV work visas (e.g., specific purpose, other streams) and criteria. |
SK2 | 23/06/2026 | Miscellaneous work visas (specific purpose, working holiday etc) | Special work categories, WH schemes, and niche pathways. | |
CI1 | 30/06/2026 | Compliance, IAA and Capstone | Unlawful status & s61 at a glance | Options for unlawful status and section 61 overview. |
CI2 | 07/07/2026 | Deportation liability & appeals (IPT) | Deportation triggers, process, and IPT appeal routes. | |
CI3 | 14/07/2026 | Complaints, OIA & Privacy practice | Handling complaints; OIA/Privacy requests and compliance basics. | |
CI4 | 21/07/2026 | IAA focus: licensing, exemptions, and practice hygiene | IAA licensing, exemptions, and good practice standards. | |
CI5 | 28/07/2026 | IAA Code of Conduct and professional obligations | Code of Conduct, duties to clients/INZ, and risk management. | |
CI6 | 04/08/2026 | IAA webinar review and discussion | Review/discussion of key IAA webinar learnings and updates. | |
RP1 | 11/08/2026 | Refugee & Protection | Border arrival, claims and determination | Refugee/protection at the border: claims, screening, decisions. |
RP2 | 18/08/2026 | Refugee pathways to residence, PR & family | Protection-related pathways to residence/PR and family reunification. | |
CS1 | 25/08/2026 | Capstone | Summary: application through decision (PPI, fairness & submissions) | End-to-end process: PPI, natural justice, and effective submissions. |
Flexible Pricing Options
Choose the option that suits your learning style:
Full 28-Class Program: AUD 720
Best value – complete NZ foundation trainingIndividual Classes: AUD 35 per class (10% discount for minimum 10 classes)
Ideal if you only need specific topics
All sessions are delivered live online. CPD eligibility is noted per session.
Presented by
James Alan Hall
Registered Migration Agent (Australia) & Licensed Immigration Adviser (New Zealand)
James has more than 20 years’ experience across both jurisdictions and is a long-standing CPD presenter for Australian and New Zealand migration professionals.