New Zealand•OceaniaTrafficking Victim Resident Visa
At a Glance
Varies
Free
Indefinite
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Overview
This is a residence visa for individuals who have been identified as victims of human trafficking in New Zealand.
The Trafficking Victim Resident Visa is a humanitarian residence visa from Immigration New Zealand for people in NZ certified by NZ Police as victims of people trafficking. Applicants must already hold a trafficking victim work, student or visitor visa and be unable to safely return home due to danger, re-victimisation risk or severe stigma.
There is no fee or immigration levy and applications receive high-priority processing by specially trained officers. The visa grants indefinite stay with full work and study rights anywhere in NZ. Travel conditions allow re-entry for 2 years from first arrival as a resident; after that, holders must apply for a Permanent Resident Visa or a variation.
This visa is ideal for police-certified trafficking survivors already in New Zealand on a trafficking victim temporary visa who cannot safely return home and need a permanent residence pathway.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Be in New Zealand
Hold a current trafficking victim work, student or visitor visa
Be certified by NZ Police as a victim of people trafficking
Be certified by NZ Police that you have not obstructed the investigation (not required if you were under 18 when identified)
Be unable to return to your home country because you would be endangered, at risk of re-victimisation, or face significant social stigma or financial hardship
Meet health and character requirements
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Evidence of NZ Police certification as a victim of people trafficking
Original or certified copy of passport (or certificate of identity)
2 acceptable photos (paper application) or 1 photo (online)
Police certificates from each country of citizenship and any country where you have spent more than 5 years since age 17 (only required where total NZ time across all visits will be 24 months or more; not required if under 16). A statutory declaration may be provided if certificates are unavailable.
Evidence of inability to return home (documents or interview)
Health evidence (chest X-ray and/or medical examination if requested by INZ)
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Direct grant of New Zealand residence with indefinite stay
- No application fee and no immigration levy
- High-priority processing by specially trained immigration officers
- Full work rights in any occupation for any employer, and the right to study
- Pathway to a Permanent Resident Visa after meeting commitment criteria
- Application fee and police-certificate requirements can be waived by a delegated officer in hardship cases
- Access to publicly funded healthcare and possible welfare support (Special Needs Grants) once certified
Worth Knowing
- You must already be in New Zealand on a trafficking victim work, student or visitor visa to apply
- Qualification depends entirely on prior certification as a trafficking victim by NZ Police — you cannot self-certify
- You must prove you cannot safely return home (endangerment, re-victimisation risk or severe stigma)
- Travel conditions expire 2 years from first arrival as a resident; further travel needs a Permanent Resident Visa or variation
- Standard health and character requirements still apply
- Not being certified by NZ Police as a victim of people trafficking
- Obstructing the NZ Police investigation of your trafficking case (unless you were under 18 when identified)
- Being able to safely return to your home country
- Not holding a current trafficking victim work, student or visitor visa at the time of application
- Failure to meet health and character requirements
Application Process
Report suspected trafficking to NZ Police (111 emergency) or Immigration New Zealand (0508 558 855); be assessed and certified as a victim by NZ Police
Hold a current trafficking victim work, student or visitor visa while in New Zealand
Complete the Residence Application (INZ 1000) using the Residence Guide (INZ 1002)
Gather supporting evidence
identity (passport plus photos), evidence of NZ Police certification as a trafficking victim, evidence of inability to return home, and health/character documentation
Submit the application to Immigration New Zealand; the fee is waived for this category
Application Forms
| Application for Residence as a Victim of Trafficking | Fill online |
Related visas
More visas in New Zealand
- Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa
Humanitarian
- Interim Visa - Refugee Claimant
Humanitarian
- Transport Work to Residence Visa
Work
Humanitarian visas in other countries
- Refugee Visa
Solomon Islands
- Non-Temporary Humanitarian Residence Permit
Netherlands
- Trafficking Victim
United States
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