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New ZealandFamilyLast checked October 30, 2026

Refugee Family Support Resident Visa - tier one registration open; tier two not open

Official name: Refugee Family Support Category (Refugee Family Support Resident Visa)

New Zealand citizens and residents who were granted residence as a refugee or protected person, an Afghan interpreter, or an Afghan evacuee can register to sponsor family members. There are 600 places a year. Tier one sponsors (those with no other family in New Zealand) are selected first, in the order they registered; tier two is used only if places remain, and INZ says only tier one registration is currently available (tier two registrations are returned). Selected family members are invited to apply and have 12 months to do so; the partner and dependent children (24 and younger) included in the registration can come too. The sponsor must arrange accommodation for the first 2 years. INZ says processing may take up to 12 months.

See requirements ↓

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Who it’s for

Family members of New Zealand citizens or residents who were granted residence as a refugee or protected person, an Afghan interpreter, or an Afghan evacuee who supported the New Zealand Defence Force or other NZ agencies, with the family member's partner and dependent children included in the registration.

Eligibility

  • Who can sponsorSponsor

    A New Zealand citizen or resident who was granted residence as a refugee or protected person, as an Afghan interpreter, or as an evacuee who supported the New Zealand Defence Force or other New Zealand agencies in Afghanistan. The sponsor must not have sponsored someone under this category before, and must register as tier one or tier two.

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  • Tier one open; tier two not openSponsor

    Only tier one sponsor registration is currently available; tier two registrations will be returned.

    • Tier one is for sponsors with no other family in New Zealand
    • Tier one is selected in the order sponsors registered
    • Tier two is selected only if places remain after all tier one registrations
    Official wording

    Tier one is for sponsors with no other family in New Zealand; they get first access to places and are selected in the order they registered. Tier two registrations are selected only if places remain after all tier one registrations. INZ says only tier one sponsor registration is currently available and tier two registrations will be returned.

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  • 600 places a year

    600 visas are available each year.

    600 visas

    Visas available

    Official wording

    600 visas are available each year.

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A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirement
  • Document checklist
  • Fees

The full requirements are for members

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  • 2 more requirements
  • 5 documents
  • 1 fee
  • 5 steps
  • Processing times and conditions

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