If it's too good to be true, it's probably a scam, INZ warns
Immigration New Zealand is calling on individuals to be vigilant against job offer scams that victimise workers as the agency cracks down on such schemes.
"The general rule is if someone offers you a job in New Zealand and it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is," said Senior Investigator Helen Garratt in a statement.
According to Garratt, the rise of social media applications has made people vulnerable to employment scams, noting that there are a few "hallmarks" that people can look out for.
"An employer or a recruiter cannot charge you for a job. So, beware of offers asking you to pay a large sum of money in return for a visa and a job. Also, paying a sum to have your visa application fast-tracked is another sign the offer could be a scam," Garratt said.
The senior investigator further urged vigilance against offers with "unrealistically high" earnings and pathways to New Zealand residency.
"If they can, people should check directly with the employer that the job offer they have received is genuine," she said. "All visa fees are on the immigration website and are far below the cost we are seeing scammers ask migrant workers to pay for the same visa."
Getting help from immigration advisers
New Zealand also licenses immigration advisers who can advise employees on their visas, according to Garratt.
The advisers are required to follow a professional Code of Conduct, mandating them to have a written agreement with a potential employee when setting out the services and costs they provide.
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INZ said a list of advisers can be found at the Immigration Advisers Authority.
"Avoid the pitfalls of receiving illegal immigration advice. Unlicensed people may not be honest with you or INZ. INZ may not accept a visa application from unlicensed people acting illegally," the agency said.
The caution comes as New Zealand cracks down on visa scams and exploitation of migrant workers.
Last year, reports emerged about a group of workers from India, China, and Bangladesh who paid a huge cost to get to New Zealand only to arrive and remain unemployed.
These individuals were also sent to live in properties that were "unhygienic, unsanitary, and inappropriate."