A sponsor can be a significant advantage when applying for a visa to New Zealand. However, only some organisations can sponsor a visa applicant, and sponsors must meet specific criteria and responsibilities. This guide will help you understand who can sponsor a visa applicant, the requirements they must fulfil, and the sponsorship process, particularly for refugees.
Table of Content
Who Can Sponsor a Visa Applicant?
A sponsor’s eligibility depends on the visa type you are applying for. Generally, the following individuals and organisations:
- New Zealand Citizens and Residents:
- Citizens: Any New Zealand citizen can sponsor a visa applicant.
- Residents: A New Zealand resident can be a sponsor if their resident visa has no section 49 conditions.
- Refugees:
- Refugees can sponsor their family members to come to New Zealand.
- Organizationsincorporated societies or charitable trusts registered in New Zealand can act as sponsors.
- Government agencies, such as tertiary education providers or school boards of trustees.
- Community organisations are sponsoring refugees.
Criteria for Individual Sponsors
For an individual to be a valid sponsor, they must:
- Be a New Zealand resident or citizen without section 49 conditions on their resident visa.
- Reside in New Zealand during the sponsorship period (exceptions may apply).
- Not be insolvent or bankrupt.
- Not be liable for deportation.
- Not be serving a custodial sentence or awaiting sentencing for a crime that carries a custodial sentence.
Sponsors must be friends or family members for student visa applications. The sponsor must remain the same if applying for a further student visa.
For resident visa applications, sponsors must:
- I live in New Zealand.
- Have been a citizen or resident for at least three years.
- I have spent 184 days in New Zealand in each of the last three years.
Criteria for Organization:
- Registered in New Zealand as a company, incorporated society, or charitable trust.
- Demonstrate a clear link between their activities and the reason for sponsoring the applicant.
- Appoint a contact person responsible for the sponsorship.
Who Cannot Sponsor a Visa Applicant?
Specific individuals and organisations should be allowed to act as sponsors. These include:
- Those receiving any financial reward or fee for sponsoring.
- Individuals or organisations have an immigration law offence.
- Sponsors with outstanding debts to the New Zealand Government or third parties due to previous sponsorships.
- Those who have previously failed to meet sponsorship obligations.
Note: The profit your employer expects from your work does not disqualify them as an acceptable sponsor.
Sponsoring Family Members if You Are a Refugee
Refugees have specific guidelines and criteria for sponsoring family members:
- Eligibility:
- Refugees or protected persons, Afghan interpreters, Afghan evacuees, or their partners or dependent children.
- Must not have previously sponsored someone granted a resident visa under the Refugee Family Support Category.
- Sponsorship Criteria:
- Be 18 years or older.
- Meet tier one or tier two criteria.
- Live in New Zealand during the sponsorship term.
- Not sponsor for financial reward.
- No previous immigration law convictions or outstanding debts due to past sponsorships.
- Not be bankrupt or in custody.
- Queue System for Sponsor Registrations:
- The Refugee Family Support Category uses a two-tier queue system with an annual quota of 600 places.
- Tier one sponsors with no other family in New Zealand are prioritised.
- Registrations are chosen from the tier-one queue based on the order in which they were submitted. If spots are still available after all tier-one registrations have been processed, selections will be made from the tier-two queue.
Note: Currently, only tier-one sponsor registrations are accepted.
The Sponsorship Process
The sponsorship process involves several steps:
- Checking Eligibility:
- Use interactive tools to determine if you qualify to sponsor family members as a refugee.
- Submitting Applications:
- Submit relevant forms, such as the Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025) and others specific to the visa type.
- Approval and Responsibilities:
- Even with a sponsor, visa approval is not guaranteed. Applicants must still meet all other visa requirements.
- Sponsors must provide financial and accommodation support for the applicant if required.
Community Refugee Sponsorship
Community organisations organize refugees through the Community Refugee Sponsorship program, helping them settle into their new lives in New Zealand.
Visas That Can Take Visa Sponsorship
Various types of visas can benefit from having a sponsor. Here are some of the most common visas that allow for sponsorship:
- Visitor Visa:
- Sponsors can provide financial support and accommodation for the applicant during their stay in New Zealand.
- Student Visa:
- Individuals (friends or family members) can sponsor students to study in New Zealand. The sponsor must be the same if the student is applying for a further student visa.
- Work Visa:
- Employers or organisations for various work visas include the AEW Visa, Talent (Arts, Culture, and Sports) Work Visa, and the Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa.
- Resident Visa:
- Family members or individuals who have been citizens or residents for at least three years can sponsor applicants for resident visas.
- Partnership-Based Visa:
- Partners of New Zealand citizens or residents can be sponsored for partnership-based temporary entry visas.
- Religious Worker Visa:
- Religious organisations should work in New Zealand in a spiritual capacity.
- Refugee Family Support Category Visa:
- Refugees can sponsor their family members to come to New Zealand under this category, following specific criteria and guidelines.
Various INZ Forms for Sponsorship
Different visa types require different sponsorship forms. Below is a list of forms you may need when acting as a sponsor:
- Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025):
- This form is used for temporary visas, including visitor, student, and work visas.
- Form for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based – Temporary Entry Applications (INZ 1146):
- This form is for partners who are supporting partnership-based temporary entry applications.
- Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Sponsorship Form (INZ 1091):
- This form is used for those sponsoring applicants in the arts, culture, or sports sectors.
- Download INZ 1091 PDF 291KB
- Sponsorship Form for Religious Workers (INZ 1190):
- This form is specifically for sponsoring religious workers.
- Download INZ 1190 PDF 300KB
Conclusion
Understanding the requirements and responsibilities of sponsorship is crucial for both sponsors and visa applicants. Whether you are a New Zealand citizen, resident, refugee, or Organization, organization criteria ensure a smoother application process and better support for the visa applicant. Always consult the latest guidelines and forms from Immigration New Zealand to stay updated on any sponsorship rules and requirements changes.
Reference
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
