17 granted residency through ‘paper’ firm

Seventeen people received permanent residency through a deregistered company at the heart of an alleged visa and residency scam.

A investigation included accusations from Indian migrant Karamjeet Singh that he got a visa from a ‘‘paper company’’ in Wellington, owned by his immigration adviser, but never did any work for it.

Singh said while BC International Ltd, which traded as Bite Consulting, paid him a wage, he was expected to then return the money. He instead worked under-the-table in Auckland.

Michael Carley, manager of Operations Support at Immigration New Zealand, said 17 ‘‘predominantly Indian nationals’’ were given permanent residency through BC International between the company’s incorporation in May 2012, and its dissolution in May this year.

The company’s director and majority shareholder was Peter Ryan, a licensed immigration adviser, who also acted as Singh’s immigration adviser.

Carley’s figures indicated Singh was one of 20 people who successfully received work visas from BC International Ltd after it was set up.

Ryan has denied any part in an immigration fraud.

Charles Cameron, chief executive of the Recruitment, Consulting and Staffing Association of Australia and New Zealand, said the RCSA would refer any complaints received about Ryan to the Immigration Advisers Authority if they received them.

The Immigration Advisers Authority, which licenses immigration advisers, refused to say whether it was currently investigating Ryan.