R4.10 Sponsorship undertakings

See also Immigration Act 2009, s 48

1. Sponsorship creates a responsibility for the sponsor to ensure the sponsored person has accommodation, maintenance while in New Zealand, and outward travel.
2. The undertakings for which a sponsor is responsible, and in relation to which a debt is recoverable from the sponsor, are:
   1. accommodation, meaning suitable accommodation for the sponsored person in New Zealand, where the sponsored person does not have the means for their own accommodation; and
   2. maintenance, meaning the reasonable costs of essential provisions needed for the sponsored person’s health and welfare in New Zealand, where they do not have the means for these. This may include but is not limited to food, clothing and medical treatment where required; and
   3. repatriation, meaning any costs associated with the sponsored person leaving New Zealand at the end of the sponsorship period if the person:
      • does not have the means for their own repatriation (or refuses to pay for it); or
      • is liable for deportation.
   4. deportation, meaning any costs that are incurred during the sponsorship period in relation to the sponsored person’s deportation, which could include the costs of locating, detaining and maintaining the person, and their travel costs in being deported.
3. A visa holder themselves may have the means to fund their own maintenance, accommodation, and outward travel. However, if they do not, or refuse to, the sponsor is required to either provide these themselves directly or pay for the cost of providing them.

Effective 29/11/2010