Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa

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

To apply you must: be recognised as a mandated refugee under the CORS programme

You must meet the definition of a refugee as outlined in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

You must be aged between 18 and 45.

You can be nominated by an approved community organisation (sponsor).

You must be invited to apply for residence.

If you are nominated by an approved community organisation (sponsor) or identified by the international referral partner, you will be provided with a form to express interest in applying under this category.

If you express interest, we will consider your request and grant you an invitation to apply if we think you have a credible chance of meeting the requirements.

We will ask you to complete a medical examination after you have submitted your application

You do not have to pay for the medical examination.

Community-sponsored refugee applicants do not have to pay an immigration levy or visa application fee.

include your partner, and dependent children aged 24 and younger, in your visa application — if you met all the requirements.

Your family must meet the requirements for a resident visa.

This visa lets you: live, work and study in New Zealand

Immigration New Zealand will organise for this to be assessed by the International Referral Partner.

If you have had your refugee status assessed before by UNHCR or the government of another country, you should provide evidence of this with your expression of interest.