Christchurch Response (2019) — permanent resident visa
From 24 April 2019, people present during the terrorist attacks in Christchurch and their immediate families can apply for a special permanent resident visa.
Who this visa is for
You can get this visa if you:
- were present at the Masjid Al Noor or Linwood Masjid while they were attacked on 15 March 2019,
- were injured during the attacks
- are the immediate family member of someone who was present during the attacks — that is someone who died or was injured during the attacks, or present in one of the mosques.
You must also have been living in New Zealand on 15 March 2019.
When you apply, we confirm you were at one of the mosques by checking the official New Zealand Police lists of people who were present during the attacks.
There are some exceptions. We cannot give you this visa if you:
- were a police first responder or emergency worker
- were here as a tourist, or
- were visiting for a short time.
Living in New Zealand
You are living in New Zealand if, on 15 March 2019, you held a resident, work or student visa. If you held another type of visa, you need to show us that when the attacks happened, New Zealand was your main home.
Family members who are eligible
Some family members can get this visa if they were living in New Zealand on 15 March 2019. Which family members can apply depends on whether the family member present during the attacks was an adult or a dependent child.
Dependent children — resident visas
Adults present at the attacks
If you are the family member of an adult who was present during the attacks, you can get this visa if you are their:
- partner — married, civil union or de facto
- dependent child
- partner's dependent child
- parent or parent's partner.
Children present at the attacks
If you are the family member of a dependent child who was present during the attacks, you can get this visa if you are their:
- brother or sister, and still dependent on your parents
- parent or
- grandparent.
When to apply
You can lodge your application from 24 April 2019. You must apply before 24 April 2021.
How to apply
The application process depends on the New Zealand visa you currently hold.
If you have a temporary visa
If you have a study, work or visitor visa, there are 3 stages to the application process.
- You need to tell us that you want to apply for this visa.
- If you are eligible, we will invite you to apply.
- You make an application.
If you have a resident visa
If you already have a resident visa, you can apply for a permanent resident visa. You do not need to have held a resident visa for 2 years before you apply.
If you are here unlawfully
You cannot apply for a Christchurch Response (2019) Visa unless you have a valid New Zealand visa. If you are in New Zealand and do not have a valid visa, you may request a visa under Section 61 of the Immigration Act.
If you do not leave New Zealand after your visa expires — Making a Section 61 request
If you left New Zealand after 15 March 2019
If you are no longer in New Zealand and your temporary visa has expired, you can get a Christchurch Response (2019) Visa using the process for temporary visa holders.
Getting help to apply
If you need further help, get in touch with our contact centre.
If you do not speak English, interpreters can answer your questions about this visa and explain how to apply.
Getting professional immigration advice
A group of lawyers and Licensed Immigration Advisors (LIAs) has been set up by INZ to help people applying for a Christchurch Response (2019) permanent resident visa.
Advice from these lawyers and LIAs is paid for by the Ministry of Social Development and you can choose which immigration professional you get help from.
| Name and company | Contact details | Experience |
|---|---|---|
|
Borey Chum, Migration Associates |
Email: borey.chum@migrationassociates.co.nz Phone: 03 355 1495 Mobile: 027 7514276 |
LIA since 2010 |
|
Simon Moore, e-Migration |
Email: simon@e-migration.co.nz Phone + 64 3 377 6727 Mobile: +64 27 4378222 |
LIA since 2009 |
|
Karishma Malek, Meridian Migration |
Email: karishma.malek@meridian.net.nz Phone: + 64 9 6254000 |
LIA since 2009 |
|
Asoka Weerasundara, Pro X New Zealand |
Email: asoka@prox.co.nz Phone: + 64 4 477 1755 Mobile: + 64 21 409867 |
LIA since 2014 |
|
Renee Butler and Jessica Taylor, Kensington Swan |
Email: Renee.Butler@kensingtonswan.com Phone: + 64 4 915 0795 |
Expert in immigration law |
|
Kate Taylor |
Email: katetaylor@slingshot.co.nz Mobile: +64 27 3132604 |
LIA since 2012 |
|
Nicola Tiffen, Anthony Harper Law |
Email: nicola.tiffen@ah.co.nz Phone: +64 3 964 5839 Mobile: +64 27 201 6760 |
Expert in immigration law |
|
Haseeb Ashraf, Legal Associates |
Email: haseeb@legalassociates.co.nz Phone: +64 9 279 94 39 Mobile: +64 21 507 795 |
Expert in immigration law |
|
Adele Mitchell, Saunders & Co |
Email: adele@migrationlawyer.co.nz Mobile: +64 21 157 0306 |
You can also seek help from other LIAs or lawyers, but you will have to pay for their advice. Only some people can legally give immigration advice.
Who can give immigration advice? | Immigration Advisers Authority