A licensed immigration adviser has been censured and banned from practising for two years after a client's residency visa was denied due to him giving false information.
The Immigration Advisers Authority tribunal found that John Lawlor breached multiple provisions of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 and the Immigration Advisers Code of Conduct 2014 in his dealings with a client in 2022.
Lawlor had lodged a residence visa application for his client, a US citizen, and told her that travelling to Australia would not impact the process.
This was incorrect information, and the client left New Zealand, which led to Immigration New Zealand denying her application.
Lawlor failed to fully respond to a letter from Immigration New Zealand, which raised concerns about the client being out of the country during the lodging of their visa application.
The tribunal also found he did not provide timely updates to his client or offer invoices for fees charged.
It was also the fifth time Lawlor had a complaint about his conduct upheld by the tribunal.
Chair David Plunkett said it "appeared that Mr Lawlor has not learned from the previous disciplinary proceedings".
"There has been a systematic failure to adhere to the code and uphold basic standards. The gravity of conduct is serious and could be towards the higher end of the spectrum."
Lawlor was ordered to refund his client $6660 and pay $5000 to the Immigration Advisers Authority.
He was also censured, had his immigration adviser licence cancelled, and banned from reapplying for two years.
"Mr Lawlor's lack of care cost his client the opportunity for residence in New Zealand," registrar of immigration advisers Duncan Connor said.
"His incorrect advice and his subsequent inaction clearly show that he was not only negligent, but that he completely disregarded the consequence of his actions."
Connor said the multiple complaints about Lawlor showed he "did not have the basic immigration knowledge expected of a Licensed Adviser".
"The authority takes this sort of negligence seriously, and those not holding up the standards of the profession can expect to be held to account."
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