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Thursday, 17 September 2026
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New Zealand residence visa

Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa New Zealand Guide

For eligible refugees nominated or matched with an approved community organisation under the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Programme.

Who can apply?What nomination or referral is required?Who sponsors settlement?Can family be included?What invitation process applies?
Listen to this articleAudio accessibility
Length of stayIndefinitely
View official Immigration New Zealand pageDownload Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa PDF checklistBrowse all NZ visasNZ immigration news
Latest Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa checklist: The PDF is generated from the latest Immigration New Zealand source snapshot used by this guide and includes Webfit News branding, source details and the general-information disclaimer. Download a fresh copy whenever you need one.

Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa requirements: who can apply?

  • be recognised as a mandated refugee under the CORS programme
  • be nominated by an approved community organisation (sponsor) or referred by an International Partner
  • complete an expression of interest and be invited to apply
  • met the other requirements of this visa.
  • live, work and study in New Zealand
  • include your partner, and dependent children aged 24 and younger, in your visa application — if you met all the requirements.

What the Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa lets you do

  • live, work and study in New Zealand
  • include your partner, and dependent children aged 24 and younger, in your visa application — if you met all the requirements.

Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa documents and evidence

Document requirements vary by visa and circumstances. Use the official Immigration New Zealand page for the current evidence requirements. The PDF checklist on this page includes the information that could be safely extracted during the latest source check.

Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa FAQ

What is the Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa?

For eligible refugees nominated or matched with an approved community organisation under the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Programme.

How long can I stay in New Zealand on the Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa?

The latest source snapshot lists Indefinitely. Check the official Immigration New Zealand page because visa conditions can change.

How much does the Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa cost?

The current fee should be confirmed on the official Immigration New Zealand page linked on this guide.

How long does the Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa take to process?

Processing times can vary. Use the official Immigration New Zealand page linked on this guide for the latest published processing information.

Where can I check the latest official Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa requirements?

Use the official Immigration New Zealand source: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/community-sponsored-refugee-resident-visa/. Webfit News reorganises the public information for convenience but does not replace the official source.

Other residence visa guides

Looking for a different New Zealand visa?

Return to the main NZ Visa Guide to browse work, study, visitor, residence and family visa information or download another visa checklist.

← Browse all New Zealand visas
Not immigration advice: This page provides general, publicly available information for convenience. It does not assess your circumstances, recommend a visa, predict an outcome, or tell you how to answer an application. Requirements can vary by applicant and can change. Before making an immigration decision or submitting an application, check the current official Immigration New Zealand requirements. If you need advice about your personal circumstances, use an appropriately licensed or exempt immigration adviser.