Licensed immigration advisers working outside of New Zealand cannot "choose" to be exempt for the purpose of a student visa application, Immigration Advisers Authority Registrar Catherine Albiston says.

Writing in the September Immigration Advisers Newsletter, Ms Albiston says it has come to her attention that some licensed advisers may consider they are exempt from their obligations when providing immigration advice about student visas offshore.

"This is not the case," she says.

"Once an adviser is licensed they must abide by the Code of Conduct and all their obligations as a licensed adviser in regard to all immigration advice and assistance they provide. Similarly, working with an exempt agent does not excuse a licensed adviser from fulfilling all of their obligations under the Code of Conduct in respect of a client."

Ms Albiston says she encourages advisers to take care to assure themselves that they are fulfilling all of their Code obligations in regard to student visa applications.

"Being a licensed adviser assures your client that you are meeting high standards. Honouring these standards protects not only your client, but the reputation of all licensed immigration advisers," she says.