About us
Advisably is the leading New Zealand immigration advice practice for infrastructure projects. We have a proven track record of providing expert immigration advice in a constantly evolving environment of immigration regulation changes.
Our clients are the companies who deliver and service infrastructure projects across New Zealand. They include construction and engineering companies, equipment manufacturers, asset owners, operators, and project joint ventures and alliances.
We have supported the largest government-approved infrastructure projects in New Zealand – Auckland City Rail Link, Auckland Central Interceptor and Auckland Downtown infrastructure. This has involved managing hundreds of successful work visa applications in an environment of COVID-19 border restrictions.
These major infrastructure projects rely on bringing highly-skilled workers and management resources into New Zealand, often at short notice. Our engineering and project management backgrounds mean that we fully understand infrastructure project staff requirements.
Meet the team
Sébastien Pham
Licensed Immigration AdviserOur principal immigration adviser Sebastien Pham is a graduate civil engineer from ESTP Paris (MEng). He provides expert immigration advice for businesses requiring assistance with bringing in critical workers for major infrastructure projects. He offers extensive immigration experience on such projects in a range of sectors: transport, energy and telecommunications. His civil engineering background has given him an in-depth understanding of the environment and of the specialised staffing requirements for these types of large projects. He recognises the need to be available to clients who are dealing with time-sensitive applications for critical migrant workers across diverse time zones. He is known for his ability to remain calm under pressure and for providing options and solutions to managing the complex processes involved in critical worker visa applications.
Sebastien is bilingual (French and English). He has worked as a project manager for large businesses (COLAS, TotalEnergies, Nokia and Vodafone), and has lived in Paris, London, Marseille, Dubai and Yangon, before choosing New Zealand as his home in 2007. He established his immigration advisory practice in 2013.
Sebastien Pham has held a graduate certificate in New Zealand Immigration Advice since 2013. He is a Full Licensed Immigration Adviser: #201301050. Licensed by IAA (Immigration Advisers Authority)
Ramin Vali
Licensed Immigration AdviserRamin is a New Zealand citizen and has lived in Dubai, the US and New Zealand. He gained a BE (Hons) and a PhD from the University of Auckland and has gained business management experience in both the US and Dubai. Ramin is bilingual (Farsi and English). He is a NAATI-certified translator and a member of the NZ Society of Translators and Interpreters. He has been involved with Immigration NZ as a translator and interpreter since 2004.
Over the years Ramin has worked with a wide range of international engineering clients and vendors. He understands the urgency that motivates clients to bring their key personnel into New Zealand as quickly as possible. He is also familiar with various technical roles within a large-scale project. This helps him to find the best fit within Immigration NZ’s Standard Classification of Occupations for a given set of technical roles and responsibilities. He is meticulous in his attention to detail, is very responsive to client queries, and provides a high standard of immigration advice and support.
Ramin Vali holds a graduate diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice. He is a Full Licensed Immigration Adviser: #201900960. Licensed by IAA (Immigration Advisers Authority)
Sophie Curabet
Client Experience ManagerSophie is a graduate of the KEDGE Business School in France where she gained a Bachelor of Management Studies with honours. She is bilingual in French and English. Sophie has held roles in communications management, sales and marketing, and event management in Paris, London and in Auckland, where she has been living for the past 14 years. Her superb organisational and customer relations skills as well as her excellent attention to detail will provide you with the quality support services you require to achieve the best possible outcomes with your visa applications.