Becoming a New Zealand citizen How to become a New Zealand citizen Applications for New Zealand citizenship are dealt with by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), not by Immigration New Zealand (which is part of a completely different government organisation, the…

Read more

26 July 2021 |

Immigration advisers: Your rights when getting advice Overview Who can legally give immigration advice? Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, ss 6, 11 The Immigration Advisers Licensing Act was introduced to protect migrants and refugees who get immigration advice, so that they can…

Read more

26 July 2021 |

Where to go for more support Community Law Your local Community Law Centre can provide you with free initial legal advice. Find your local Community Law Centre online: www.communitylaw.org.nz/our-law-centres Immigration New Zealand Immigration New Zealand is the government organisation that deals with…

Read more

26 July 2021 |

Refugees Claiming refugee status – Visas for family of refugees What this chapter covers Overview An overview of New Zealand’s refugee status scheme Who qualifies as a “refugee” The definitions of “refugee” and “protected person” How to claim refugee status: The process…

Read more

30 July 2021 |

Refugees Overview Some of the rules explained in this chapter are contained in immigration and refugee policies issued by the government, rather than by laws passed by Parliament. You can find all the current immigration and refugee rules (including both policies and…

Read more

26 July 2021 |

Who qualifies as a “refugee” Overview Who is a “refugee”? Immigration Act 2009, s 129 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees 1951, Article 1 You might be recognised as a refugee if: you’re outside your country of nationality or…

Read more

26 July 2021 |

How to claim refugee status: The process Overview How do I claim refugee status? Immigration Act 2009, ss 130, 131, 133, 164 All you need to do to claim refugee status is to tell an Immigration Officer (or some other official from…

Read more

26 July 2021 |

Appeals: What you can do if you’re refused refugee status Overview How can I challenge the decision if I’m not recognised as a refugee? Immigration Act 2009, s 194(1)(c) Legal Services Act 2011, s 7(1) If Immigration New Zealand rejects your claim for…

Read more

26 July 2021 |

The UNHCR Refugee Quota Overview What is the UNHCR Refugee Quota? The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (“UNHCR”) Refugee Quota is a formal annual quota established by the New Zealand government for resettling particular refugees. This quota is how many refugees…

Read more

26 July 2021 |

Family of refugees: Special visa categories The Refugee Family Support residence category Overview of the Refugee Family Support category INZ Operational Manual: Residence, S4.10 If you’ve been accepted by Immigration New Zealand as a refugee and been granted citizenship or residence, the…

Read more

26 July 2021 |