Refugee Family Support Resident Visa

The Refugee Family Support Resident Visa (RFSC) is a specialized residence pathway designed to help refugees and protected persons successfully resettle in New Zealand by bringing over family members who do not qualify for residence under any other category. Unlike standard family visas, this pathway is specifically for those who have no other legal way to reunite with their relatives.

This visa is managed through a quota system, allowing only 600 people to be granted residence each year (from July 1 to June 30). Because demand often exceeds this limit, the pathway uses a tiered registration system to prioritize sponsors with the least amount of family support currently in New Zealand.

• The Registration Queue: This is not a direct application process. The sponsor must first "register" their intent. If selected from the queue, the family member is then "invited to apply" for residence.
• Inclusion of Family: You must include the applicant’s partner and dependent children in the initial registration. If they are left out, they generally cannot be added to the residence application later and may be barred from other family visas in the future.
• Sponsor Obligations: By sponsoring, you legally commit to ensuring your family members have adequate accommodation for their first 24 months in New Zealand.
• Tier 2 Backlog: Because Tier 1 registrations usually exhaust the 600-person annual quota, Tier 2 remains closed indefinitely, and there is a significant backlog of unaddressed Tier 2 registrations from previous years.

Once the Refugee Family Support Resident Visa is granted, the holders have the same rights as other New Zealand permanent residents:

• Indefinite Stay: The right to live in New Zealand permanently.
• Work and Study: The right to work for any employer in any occupation and study at New Zealand institutions as domestic students.
• Public Services: Full access to publicly funded healthcare and social services.
• Travel Rights: The right to travel in and out of New Zealand (subject to the travel conditions on the resident visa, which typically expire after two years and must be renewed or converted to a Permanent Resident Visa).
• Path to Citizenship: Eligibility to apply for New Zealand Citizenship after living in the country as a resident for at least five years.