New Zealand•OceaniaRefugee Family Support Resident Visa
At a Glance
1 day – 1 year
Free
Indefinite
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Overview
Free permanent-residence pathway letting refugees in New Zealand sponsor family members under an annual quota of 600 places.
New Zealand's humanitarian residence pathway lets refugees or protected persons with NZ residence sponsor close family for permanent residence. Immigration New Zealand runs a two-stage process: the sponsor registers, then nominated family receive an Invitation to Apply.
Applications are free — refugees and protected people are waived from the visa fee and immigration levy. The annual quota is 600 places across Tier 1 and Tier 2 queues, but INZ currently accepts only Tier 1 registrations. Processing can take up to 12 months. Successful applicants gain indefinite residence with full work rights; partners and dependent children aged 24 or under may be included.
This visa is ideal for close relatives of NZ-resident refugees with no other residence pathway, whose sponsor has no immediate family lawfully settled in New Zealand.
Stay & Extensions
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
Annual Cap & Quota
600 per year
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Sponsor must be a NZ citizen/resident granted residence as a refugee/protected person
Currently only Tier 1 registrations accepted (no immediate family in NZ)
Annual quota of 600 places
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Sponsor registration
Proof of refugee status
Evidence of family relationship
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Permanent residence on approval — no temporary-status stepping stone
- No visa application fee or immigration levy (refugee waiver)
- Full rights to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely
- Partner and dependent children aged 24 or under can be included
- INZ funds the approved applicant's medical assessments and travel costs
- Settlement-provider support arranged in the first two years after arrival
Worth Knowing
- Annual quota of 600 places limits how many family members can be sponsored each year
- Processing can take up to 12 months under current demand
- Sponsor must arrange suitable accommodation and ongoing support for the first two years
- Sponsor and applicants must meet identity, health, and character requirements
- Only Tier 1 sponsor registrations are currently being accepted by INZ
- Sponsor must be a NZ citizen or resident granted residence as a refugee or protected person
- Applicants who qualify for any other NZ residence category are non-qualifying
Application Process
Submit Sponsor Registration
Receive Invitation to Apply
Submit Residence Application
Application Forms
| Immigration Online Portal | Fill online |
Related visas
More visas in New Zealand
Family visas in other countries
- Parents or Grandparents Super Visa
Canada
- Adopted Child Visa
United Kingdom
- Residency Visa
Tonga
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