Refugee Family Support Category residence requirements

You can only apply for residence under this category if:

• you have a sponsor who meets the requirements for tier one sponsors or tier two sponsors, and
• your sponsor’s registration was selected from the tier one queue or drawn from the tier two ballot, and
• you have been invited to apply for residence.

To qualify for residence in New Zealand under the Refugee Family Support Category you must meet a number of requirements.

The principal applicant must:

• make their application for residence within 12 months of Immigration New Zealand’s advice to their sponsor that their sponsor's registration has been selected from the Refugee Family Support Category tier one queue or drawn from the Refugee Family Support Category tier two ballot; and
• not be eligible for residence in New Zealand under any other category of Government residence policy with the exception of Family Quota Category; and
• meet the health and character requirements for New Zealand residence applicants.

How do I apply for residence?

Follow these steps if you have been invited to apply for residence under the Refugee Family Support Category and you wish to apply for a residence visa or permit.

Step One

Complete the form Application for Residence in New Zealand (NZIS 1000) PDF.

Step Two

Along with your completed (and signed) application form you will need to provide:

• your registration reference number; and
• evidence that you and your partner (if included in your application) meet our partnership requirements; and
• the application fee.

For each person included in your application you will also need to provide:

• two recent passport-size photographs; and 
• a valid passport or certificate of identity; and 
• a completed Medical and X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1007) PDF (Note: Pregnant women and children under the age of 11 years are not required to submit X-ray certificates unless a special report is required. For full details on health requirements, see our Health Requirements Leaflet (NZIS 1121) PDF; and 
• a police certificate less than 6 months old for each applicant aged 17 and over.  If you are unable to obtain a police certificate you must provide a statutory declaration; and
• a full birth certificate.

Note: if your sponsor was selected on the basis that they are a sole carer you will need to provide evidence to support that they are a sole carer.

Step Three

Send your residence application to your nearest immigration branch.

More information

If you’re not sure whether you meet the requirements for residence, or you have other questions:

• see our quick check to see if you meet the criteria or
• see our frequently asked questions about residence.