Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa (CORS)

The Community Sponsored Refugee Resident Visa (CORS) is a specialized resettlement pathway where an approved community organization supports your move to New Zealand. This process is sponsor-driven, meaning you cannot apply directly on your own; you must be nominated by an organization that has been pre-approved by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Note on Current Status: The "Extended Pilot" phase for this program concluded its intake on June 30, 2025. While INZ is currently processing applications submitted before this deadline, they are not accepting new sponsor approvals or new nominations as of early 2026. The government is currently reviewing the program to decide if it will become a permanent visa category.

If the program is active or reopened, the steps are as follows:

Step 1: Sponsor Approval and Nomination

A community group must first apply to INZ to become an Approved Sponsor. Once approved, the sponsor identifies a refugee or refugee family—often through the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) or existing community connections. The sponsor then submits a formal nomination to INZ, demonstrating they have the financial means to support you for your first two years in New Zealand.

Step 2: Invitation to Apply

If INZ accepts the sponsor's nomination, they will send you an Invitation to Apply (ITA). This is the official signal that you can move forward with your resident visa application.

Step 3: Submit the Application

You must submit your application along with the Sponsorship Form for Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship, which your sponsor will provide. You will need to provide:

• Your UNHCR mandate letter (proving you are a recognized refugee).
• Evidence that you are between 18 and 45 years old.
• Proof of at least three years of work experience or a professional qualification.
• Evidence of a basic working knowledge of English.

Step 4: Interview and Assessment

INZ officers will conduct an interview with you, which may be held remotely or in the country where you are currently residing. They will verify your refugee status, your work background, and your English skills. During this stage, you will also be asked to complete medical examinations and provide police certificates from any country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.

Step 5: Visa Grant and Arrival

If approved, you are granted a Resident Visa before you travel. Unlike other refugee programs, you will not go to a government resettlement center. Instead, you will travel directly to the community where your sponsor is located to begin your new life.

There is no application fee for the refugee applicant under this category. The financial responsibility for the move lies with the sponsoring organization.

Item	Cost
Application Fee	NZD $0
International Visitor Levy (IVL)	Waived
Sponsorship Costs (Airfare, housing, living expenses)	Paid by Sponsor

Total Estimate: NZD $0 for the applicant. Does not include: Costs for obtaining official translations of personal documents, costs for medical examinations/X-rays, or any fees associated with obtaining police certificates from third countries.

Processing times for refugee cases are complex and vary based on your location and the speed of security clearances.

Stage	Estimated Time
Nomination to Invitation to Apply	3–6 months
Application Submission to Visa Decision	12–24 months
Document Validity (Medical/Police)	6–12 months

Note on Backlogs: Because the pilot program ended in June 2025, current processing may be focused on clearing the existing queue of applications. If you are currently in the system, your processing time may be affected by the specific security and health requirements of the country where you are currently staying.