Fijians warned on visas

The Government is warning Fijians against paying in advance to work in New Zealand after a company promised employment picking apples.

Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said there was no guarantee that people who paid the $2000 that Pooz Travel World was asking for apple-picking work would get visas.

"It doesn't matter if people have someone acting on their behalf or not, they need to meet immigration criteria before they are granted a New Zealand visa," he said.

Decisions to approve or decline a visa were made by the Department of Labour's immigration staff and officials in Suva were advising Fijians to be cautious about using Pooz.

A bill before Parliament, the Immigration Advisers Licensing Bill, would regulate immigration agents and provide greater protection to those who used their services.

Until it was passed, Mr Cunliffe said, people concerned about their immigration application or an agent were advised to contact Labour Department immigration staff.

News reports in Fiji this week quoted people saying their life savings had been used as payment to Pooz Travel World for the work.

Mr Cunliffe was concerned people could be paying substantial sums for a service that had no guarantees.

People seeking visas could apply to the department personally or through an agent. He emphasised that most agents were legitimate.

"However," he said, "there are some unscrupulous immigration agents who leave people out of pocket and disappointed."

- NZPA