Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa
Stay	Indefinitely
Cost	NZD $0
Eligibility timing	Expression of interest, then invitation
Age	18 to 45 years
Work rights	Work in New Zealand
Study	Study in New Zealand
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Valid passport required for travel
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Partner and dependent children included
Visa record	Not stated in the source
Refugee status	Mandated refugee under CORS
Sponsor	Approved community organisation or International Partner
Fees and levy	No application fee or levy

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Purpose

This resident visa is for refugees nominated or matched with an approved community organisation under the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) Programme.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be aged 18 to 45.
• Meet the refugee definition in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
• Be recognised as a mandated refugee under the CORS programme.
• Be nominated by an approved community organisation, or referred by an International Partner.
• Submit an expression of interest and receive an invitation to apply.
• Speak and understand English, including completing an online English assessment.
• Have either:
  • At least 3 years’ work experience in the same occupation or related sector; or
  • Qualifications requiring at least 2 years’ post-secondary study.
• Not be eligible for residence under another family category or the Refugee Family Support Category.
• Meet health and character requirements.

If UNHCR or another government has previously assessed your refugee status, provide evidence with your expression of interest.

Stay and rights

The visa allows you to stay in New Zealand indefinitely and to:

• Live in New Zealand.
• Work in New Zealand.
• Study in New Zealand.

Cost

There is no immigration levy or visa application fee.

You do not have to pay for the required medical examination.

Family provisions

You may include your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger if they meet resident visa requirements.

You must show that:

• Your relationship with your partner and children meets requirements.
• Each family member meets health and character requirements.
• There are no significant barriers to their settlement in New Zealand.
• They are not eligible for residence sponsorship under another family category or the Refugee Family Support Category.

Required evidence

Identity

When applying for residence, provide an original or certified copy of:

• Your passport or certificate of identity, if available; or
• Your full birth certificate, if available.

You do not need identity evidence or a photo for the expression of interest.

Health

You must be in good health. Immigration New Zealand will ask you to complete a medical examination after you submit your application.

Character

Provide a police certificate from every country where you lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

Police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you apply.

You may not need a police certificate from your home country if:

• You have a well-founded fear of approaching its authorities.
• The authorities generally do not issue police certificates.
• Immigration New Zealand considers it unsafe to approach them.

Qualifications or work experience

Provide evidence of your work experience or post-secondary qualifications. Immigration New Zealand may accept a signed declaration if you do not have enough documentation.

Application steps

1. Be nominated by an approved community organisation or identified by the International Referral Partner.
2. Receive a form to express interest.
3. Submit the expression of interest.
4. Receive an invitation to apply if Immigration New Zealand considers you likely to meet the requirements.
5. Submit your residence application and required evidence.
6. Complete the medical examination when requested.

Travel and obligations

To travel, your visa must be in a valid passport.

If your passport expires, apply to transfer your visa to a new passport before travelling. You must send your old and new passports, complete Application for Transfer or Confirmation of a Visa (INZ 1023), and pay a transfer fee.