Who can sponsor a visa applicant
Not everyone can sponsor a migrant to come to New Zealand. Find out which people and organisations we can accept as sponsors.
Who can sponsor a visa applicant
Some people and organisations can sponsor your application, depending on the visa you apply for.
A sponsor can be :
- a New Zealand citizen
- someone who holds a New Zealand residence visa – as long as it has no section 49 conditions
- a refugee, if they are sponsoring a family member to come to New Zealand
- an organisation registered in New Zealand as a company, incorporated society or charitable trust
- a government agency – for example a tertiary education provider or a school's board of trustees
- a community organisation – but only if the visa applicant is a refugee.
Sponsoring family members if you are a refugee
Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Category
Note
Having a sponsor does not guarantee we will approve your visa. You still have to meet all the other requirements of the visa you apply for.
Who cannot sponsor a visa applicant
People or organisations cannot be a sponsor if they:
- get any financial reward or fee for sponsoring you
- have ever been convicted of an offence under immigration law – this includes the directors, trustees or management of an organisation
- have an outstanding debt to the New Zealand Government or other third parties as a result of sponsoring other visas
- failed to meet sponsorship obligations in the past.
Note
The profit your employer expects to make from your work does not exclude them from being an acceptable sponsor.