Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa
Purpose	Stay during claim processing
Stay	As needed, until decision
Cost	From NZD $0
Processing	80% within 2.5 weeks
Eligibility timing	Claim made in New Zealand
Work rights	No work permitted
Study	Not stated in the source
Public healthcare	Subsidised public healthcare
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Normally no travel conditions
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Not stated in the source
Family inclusion	Partner and dependent children under 20
Visa record	Not stated in the source

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Purpose

This visa lets people in New Zealand stay while Immigration New Zealand processes their refugee or protected person claim.

It also provides access to subsidised public healthcare and support services for refugees and protected persons.

Eligibility

You must:

• Have made a refugee or protection status claim in New Zealand.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Genuinely intend to meet your visa conditions.
• Meet identity requirements.

Immigration New Zealand checks its records to confirm your refugee or protection status claim.

Stay and Expiry

The visa is granted as needed until a decision is made on your claim.

You must leave New Zealand before the visa expires. If more time is needed to decide your claim, you may apply for another visa before the current visa expires.

Cost and Processing

• Cost: From NZD $0.
• Processing time: 80% within 2.5 weeks.

Process and cost information may depend on your nationality and country details.

Rights and Conditions

Work

You cannot work in New Zealand on this visa.

You may be able to:

• Volunteer.
• Work remotely for an employer or client based outside New Zealand.

If the Ministry of Social Development declares a seasonal labour shortage, you may apply for a one-off variation to undertake seasonal work for up to 6 weeks.

Travel

You will not normally receive travel conditions.

Warning: If you leave New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand will consider that you have withdrawn your refugee or protection status claim or appeal.

Family Provisions

You may include:

• Your partner.
• Dependent children aged 19 or younger.

You must show that you have a genuine relationship with included family members. They may also need to meet identity, health and character requirements.

Required Evidence

Identity

Provide:

• Two acceptable head-and-shoulders photos.
• Your passport or certificate of identity.

You may submit an original passport or certified copy. Immigration New Zealand may later request the original passport.

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand.

Health

You must be in good health. Immigration New Zealand may request a chest X-ray, medical examination, or both.

Normally, you do not need:

• A chest X-ray for stays under 6 months.
• A medical certificate for stays under 12 months.

Character

Police certificates are required if your total time in New Zealand, across all visits, will be 24 months or longer. They may also be requested in other cases.

Police certificates must:

• Be less than 6 months old at submission.
• Cover countries of citizenship or residence exceeding 5 years since age 17.

Applicants aged 16 or younger do not need police certificates.

Previously submitted police certificates need not be resubmitted if they are less than 24 months old.

Family Evidence

For included partners and children, provide evidence such as:

• Marriage certificates.
• Birth certificates.
• Evidence of a genuine relationship.

Translations

Documents not in English must have certified full English translations meeting Immigration New Zealand requirements.

Country-Specific Documents

• Chinese citizens applying from China: Hukou, Chinese identity card, and, for paper applications, Supplementary Form INZ 1027.
• Applicants in Hong Kong or Macao: Copy of identity card and, for paper applications, Supplementary Form INZ 1220.
• Applicants in China, Hong Kong or Macao: A chest X-ray completed within the previous 3 months may be required in specified circumstances.