WHY USE AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER?

If you are considering using an immigration advisor to represent you and assist you with Immigration New Zealand, then you need to choose carefully. Every year many people see their dreams destroyed when their visa application is refused. The reality is, many of those applications could have been approved.

 

We will not accept instructions from you unless we are confident that you will obtain a visa. If there is any risk that an application will be declined (due to a medical or character issue, for example) you will be advised in detail to allow you to make a fully informed decision before instructing our firm to process your application.

What you are undertaking here is a significant process. There are a number of practical considerations to take into consideration.

You will find it invaluable having a professional advisor who is able to confirm you will be eligible, obtain the required visa for you, and guide you practically through the migration process from start to finish. As a result of our experience in dealing with migrants to New Zealand, we realise that there is a lot more to providing a professional immigration service than gaining the necessary visas or residence for our clients. Mark Manhire will guide you through the whole process from start to finish, providing a service tailored to your particular needs.

Our aim is to make your transition to New Zealand as smooth and stress free as possible. We believe that some or all of the services noted below will be of benefit to most of our clients:

 

• Assessment and personal consultation to discuss the details of your application.
• Fully transparent fee structure, enabling you to know exactly what our fees will be and at what stage they need to be paid. A significant part of our fee is dependent upon the success of your application.
• Direct referrals to third parties with whom we have a sound working relationship, such as recruitment consultants, real estate agents, banks, financial advisers and accountants.
• Peace of mind that you are being assisted by a qualified lawyer, dedicated to ensuring that your dreams of a new life in New Zealand become a reality.

IMMIGRATION TODAY

New Zealand immigration law and policy is substantive, complex and changes frequently. In many instances, the decision to approve or decline an application will be made by an individual immigration officer assessing the application on the facts and materials that are actually presented at that time.

It is critical to ensure that your application is made to the appropriate Government representative with all necessary information and documentation appropriately prepared and vetted. Mark Manhire will ensure that your application is complete, properly presented and has the maximum chance of being successful.

WHY USE A LAWYER?

In order to obtain the right to indefinitely reside in New Zealand you have two choices. First, you can assess, complete, submit, and process your own application(s) directly with Immigration New Zealand. The difficulty in taking responsibility for your own application is that you will not receive assistance from INZ. INZ will provide information to you but they will not provide personalised, tailored advice. There is a huge difference between the two. Also,

• Authorised and qualified. Lawyers have university degrees
• Lawyers must maintain high ethical standards
• Communication is privileged and confidential
• Lawyers are accountable. You can turn to the New Zealand Law Society if you have an issue or a complaint.

There are two main reasons why Mark Manhire receives instructions to assist applicants:

1. You may simply not have enough time to research and understand the regulations in sufficient detail to ensure that you will obtain residence.
2. You may wish to instruct an immigration lawyer to ensure you qualify and you obtain the required visas in a timely and stress-free manner.

Our intention is to relieve as much stress from the process as is possible.
When undertaking one of the biggest decisions of your life, it is important to know that you are receiving the best advice and to know that you are paying a fair price.

IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS: WARNING!

Mark Manhire is a fully qualified lawyer and not an immigration consultant and as such, our services and the fees we charge are regulated by the New Zealand Law Society.

Immigration consultants operating in New Zealand and overseas are unregulated by law, meaning the accuracy and quality of service varies significantly. There are no examination or qualification requirements to become an immigration consultant. In addition to competence issues, the service fees charged by immigration consultants are often excessive as there is no legal body to regulate their fees.

In response to many complaints, the New Zealand Government has now legislated to regulate the quality of service and fees charged by immigration consultants. However, compulsory regulation does not take effect until May 2009 for consultants practicing in New Zealand and May 2010 for consultants based overseas. Until then, using a consultant can be a gamble.

FEES AND ASSOCIATED COSTS

Mark Manhire provides a service at a highly competitive and reasonable rate.
1. Our fees are fixed and disclosed up front during the initial consultation, before you engage us, so there is complete transparency and no surprises.
2. Our fees are not time-based, but flat fees paid in instalments corresponding to the progress of your application.
A significant part of our fee is contingent upon success.
3. Our fees are extremely competitive and are generally far less than fees charged by unregulated immigration consultants.

 

WARNING: FROM 4 MAY 2009 IMMIGRATION NEW ZEALAND WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM UNLICENSED ADVISORS. GIVING ANY FORM OF IMMIGRATION ADVICE WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE IMMIGRATION ADVISORS AUTHORITY WILL ATTRACT PENALTIES OF UP TO $100,000 AND UP TO 7 YEARS IMPRISONMENT. MARK MANHIRE, LAWYER, IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST VULNERABLE MIGRANTS AT THIS TIME OF CHANGE.

CONTACT MARK MANHIRE, IN CONFIDENCE, TO FIND OUT IF YOUR PRESENT ADVISOR IS LICENCED OR NOT. IF YOUR PRESENT ADVISOR IS NOT LICENCED, WE WILL GIVE YOU FREE ADVICE ON THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF.