Under the Refugee Family Support Category priority is given to tier one sponsors who have a more immediate need to bring their family to New Zealand. Tier one sponsors must meet the tier one sponsorship requirements set out below.

If not all of the places available each year under this category are filled by tier one sponsors, we will process registrations from the tier two queue. The tier two applicants must meet tier two sponsorship requirements.

Tier one sponsorship requirements

To register as a tier one sponsor under the Refugee Family Support Category, you must:

• be in New Zealand; and
• be a New Zealand citizen, or the holder of a current residence permit or a residence class visa; and
• have been granted residence in New Zealand on the basis of your status as a refugee; and
• be aged 18 years or over; and
• either have no ‘Immediate family’ living lawfully and permanently in New Zealand, or be the ‘Sole carer’ of a ‘Dependent relative’ in New Zealand; and
• have no other ‘family member’ eligible to be sponsored for residence under any other residence category; and
• be an acceptable sponsor under R4.5, except for the requirements at R4.5 (d)(ii) and (iii)
• have not successfully sponsored under the Refugee Family Support Category (or Refugee Family Quota) before.

Who tier one sponsors can sponsor

If you are a tier one sponsor you may register to sponsor any one of the following family members:

• parent, or
• grandparent, or
• grandchild, or
• uncle, or
• aunt, or
• nephew, or
• niece, or
• adult sibling, or
• adult child.

You can also sponsor the partner and/or dependent child of the family member in the list above. The family member must not be eligible for residence under any other category of residence policy.

Tier two sponsorship requirements

To register as a tier two sponsor under the Refugee Family Support Category, you must:

• be in New Zealand; and
• be a New Zealand citizen, or the holder of a current residence permit that is not subject to requirements under s18A of the Immigration Act 1987, or the holder of a residence class visa that is not subject to the requirements under s49(1) of the Immigration Act 2009; and
• have been granted residence in New Zealand on the basis of your status as a refugee; and
• be aged 18 years or over; and
• have no other ‘family member’ eligible to be sponsored for residence under any other residence policy; and
• have not successfully sponsored under the Refugee Family Support Category (or Refugee Family Quota) before; and
• be an acceptable sponsor under R4.5, except for the requirements at R4.5 (d)(ii) and (iii)
• have been a New Zealand citizen, or the holder of a current residence class visa for at least three years immediately preceding the date your registration is lodged*; and
• have spent a total of 184 days or more in New Zealand in each of those three years*.

*A tier two sponsor is required to have held New Zealand citizenship or been a New Zealand resident for at least three years preceding their registration, and have spent 184 days or more in New Zealand during each of those three years. However, they do not need to meet the same requirements preceding the date the application they are sponsoring is lodged.

Who tier two sponsors can sponsor

If you are a tier two sponsor you may register to sponsor any one of the following family members;

• parent; or
• adult sibling; or
• adult child; or
• grandparent (if that grandparent is your legal guardian).

You can also sponsor the partner and/or dependent child of the family member in the list above. The family member must not be eligible for residence under any other category.

How to make a registration

The Refugee Family Support Category tier one queue was opened on 12 November 2007 and has no end date.

Tier one sponsors

Eligible sponsors who meet tier one requirements may register. Tier one registrations must be made on the official registration form Refugee Family Support Category Tier One Sponsor Registration Form (INZ 1094) PDF. 

 

Send your tier one registration to the address specified on the registration form.

Tier two sponsors

Tier two sponsors must wait until Immigration New Zealand announces that it is open to registrations.

 

At that time, registrations will need to be made on the Refugee Family Support Category Tier Two Sponsor Registration Form (INZ 1192).

 

Send your tier two registration to the address specified on the registration form.

More information

For more information about tier on and tier two requirements and processes, please see the Refugee Family Support Category - sponsor registrationrequently asked questions or our quick check to see if you meet the criteria for tier one or tier two registration.