A stern warning has been made to unlicensed immigration agents who may be looking to take the money and run.

The Immigration Advisers Authority is sending a team to the Pacific Islands to educate communities on the best way to attain a visa to work, study and live here.

Registrar Catherine Albiston said it's unfortunate there are some agents act unlawfully, whether it be taking money and disappearing, or giving inaccurate advice.

She said it's a criminal offence to provide immigration advice without a license unless you're exempt.

"Bad immigration advice wrecks lives, and can carry seven years in prison, $100,000 fines, so it is a serious penalty."

"We do take it seriously and people need to know that," she added.

Albiston said it's unfortunate there are people who operate in the field unlawfully.

She said their website at IAA has plenty of information to protect immigrants against anyone looking to take advantage of them.

"There's a list of licensed immigration advisers on that website, and there are licensed immigration advisers all over the world."