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How to Digitize Your Immigration Forms and Go Paperless

November 20, 20246 min read
Digital forms on mobile device

If you're still emailing PDF forms to clients and asking them to print, fill out by hand, scan, and email back, you know the pain. Forms get lost. Handwriting is illegible. Clients don't have scanners. It's almost 2026, and there's a better way.

Digitizing your immigration forms means converting any existing PDF into an interactive, mobile-friendly document that clients can complete from their phone in minutes. No printing. No scanning. No chasing.

The Old Way: Paper-Based Forms

Here's what form collection typically looks like for many advisers:

1

Email the PDF

You email the client a PDF form as an attachment, along with instructions on how to complete it.

2

Client Prints

The client needs to download the PDF and find a printer. Many don't have one at home.

3

Fill by Hand

They fill it out with pen. Handwriting varies. Mistakes mean starting over or messy corrections.

4

Scan and Email Back

They need to find a scanner, or use a phone app that produces poor quality scans. Then email it back.

5

You Chase

Days or weeks pass. You send reminder emails. The form finally arrives, but a section is incomplete.

Time-consuming for you. Frustrating for clients. Error-prone for everyone.

The Digital Way: Forms on Any Device

With digitized forms, the same process becomes seamless:

1

Upload Your Existing PDF

Take your existing PDF form (INZ 1017, Authority to Act, questionnaires) and upload it to create a digital version.

2

Add Interactive Fields

Drag and drop text fields, checkboxes, signature boxes, and file upload areas onto your PDF. Position them exactly where you need them.

3

Send a Link

Share a secure link with your client. No attachment to download. They click and start filling immediately.

4

Client Fills on Phone

Works on any device. Over 90% of forms are completed on mobile phones. They can save a draft and come back later.

5

Auto-Saved to Case

When they submit, you get notified. A completed PDF is automatically generated and saved to the case. No manual downloading.

Faster for clients. Less chasing for you. Everything in one place.

What Can You Digitize?

Any PDF form you currently use can be converted into an interactive digital version:

INZ Forms

Authority to Act, client questionnaires, and other Immigration NZ forms.

Client Questionnaires

Personal details forms, employment history, travel history questionnaires.

Document Checklists

Add file upload fields so clients can submit supporting documents alongside the form.

Any Custom Form

Onboarding forms, feedback surveys, compliance declarations—anything you use regularly.

Why Go Paperless?

Mobile-First Experience

Clients can complete forms from anywhere, on any device. No printer or scanner needed. Most complete forms on their phone during commutes or lunch breaks.

Instant Notifications

Get notified the moment a client submits a form. No more wondering if they received it or when they'll send it back.

Automatic Filing

Completed forms are automatically saved as PDFs in the client's case. No manual downloading, renaming, or organizing.

Request Resubmission

Need changes? Request a resubmission and the client can update their form. No starting from scratch.

Stop chasing paper. Start collecting forms digitally.

Learn More

Ready to dive deeper? Check out our documentation for step-by-step guides:

Ready to Digitize Your Forms?

See how easy it is to convert your existing PDF forms into mobile-friendly, fillable documents. Try AdviserAide free for 3 months.

Book a Demo