Guides and resources for asylum seekers
Guides, resources, procedural guides and information about support services available for asylum seekers.
Our guidelines for the asylum claim process
The Refugee Status Unit (RSU) provides guidelines for:
- children and minors
- confidentiality.
The children and minors guidelines are for RPOs, claimants, their representatives, and adults who determine the refugee or protected person status of minors or children.
The confidentiality guidelines explain how the law protects your identity and details of your claim. They also explain situations where we may share your information. We will not share information if this could put you or any other person in danger.
More information about the asylum claims process
The following guide describes the asylum claims process in detail, as well as your rights and responsibilities. This guide is also available in other languages.
Other resources
Practice Note
The Practice Note is a detailed guide to the refugee and protection claim determination process. It has been co-designed with legal practitioners and other stakeholders. It is reviewed annually.
The RSU has been operating a managed queue for claims to be allocated to a Refugee and Protection Officer (RPO) for processing since 2019. While the managed queue is operating the timeframes in the Practice Note apply from allocation to an RPO rather than from when the claim is lodged.
Releasing personal information
You may be asked to sign a privacy waiver. For example, so that information may be shared between family members, or to help us assess your claim. Below are 2 examples of common waivers.
Recognition as a refugee or protected person
If you are recognised as a refugee or protected person you can stay in New Zealand. Our information for convention refugees guide has information about support services available for
Note
The latest version of this document will be available in other languages soon.
We also have a YouTube video available with information about settling in New Zealand if you are recognised as a refugee or protected person.
Services for asylum seekers
While your claim is being processed you can use health care in New Zealand. You may also be able to apply for a work visa so you can get a job. If your children are with you, you can enrol them at school. You also may be able to access financial support from the government.
Welfare advisor support
A welfare advisor can help you with your welfare and support while your asylum claim is being assessed. This includes connecting you to government services such as healthcare, financial support, housing and education. These government services can be provided in your own language with the government agency providing an interpreter for you.
The advisor cannot talk to you about your claim.
You can email the welfare advisor.
Other languages
Information about welfare advisor support is also available in other languages including:
Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Hindi, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish.
Services for asylum seekers brochure
The following brochure contains information about services and support that is available to people seeking refugee or protected person status in New Zealand. There are brochures available for different cities in New Zealand and they are also available in other languages.
Auckland
Wellington
Christchurch