Refugee and Protection Status

New Zealand offers protection to people who cannot return to their home country because they fear persecution or are at risk of serious harm. You can claim protection status if you are already in New Zealand or at the border. There is no online application portal for the initial claim; it is a legal process initiated through official notification and paper forms.

Claiming Status Onshore or at the Border

1. Initiate your claim: As soon as you arrive at a New Zealand airport or port, or if you are already in the country on a temporary visa, notify an Immigration Officer, a Police Officer, or a customs official that you wish to claim refugee or protection status.
2. Complete the Confirmation of Claim: You must fill out the Confirmation of Claim form (INZ 1071). This form officially records your intent to seek protection. You can find the form and guidance on the Immigration New Zealand website.
3. Submit a Written Statement: You must provide a detailed, written account explaining why you are seeking protection. This should include specific details about your fear of persecution based on your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a specific social group.
4. Apply for a Temporary Visa: While your claim is being processed, you should apply for a Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa or a work visa to maintain your legal status in the country.
5. Attend the Interview: You will be invited to a formal interview with a Refugee and Protection Officer (an official who decides on protection claims). During this interview, you will discuss your written statement in detail. It is vital that your verbal account matches your written statement exactly, as discrepancies are a common reason for claims being declined.
6. Receive the Decision: The Refugee Status Unit (the government office handling these claims) will issue a written decision.
7. Appeal (if necessary): If your claim is declined, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal (IPT), an independent judicial body.
8. Apply for Residence: If you are recognized as a refugee or protected person, you can then apply for a Refugee Quota Resident Visa or a similar permanent resident visa to stay in New Zealand indefinitely.

Offshore Resettlement (Refugee Quota)

You cannot apply directly to the New Zealand government for the Refugee Quota Programme. This pathway is for people outside of New Zealand who have already been recognized as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UNHCR refers specific cases to New Zealand for resettlement. If selected, you will be brought to New Zealand and spend your first six weeks at Te Āhuru Mōwai (the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre) for an orientation and health assessment.

There is no application fee charged by the New Zealand government to lodge a claim for refugee or protection status.

Total Estimate: $0. This does not include the costs of certified English translations for your supporting documents, travel to interviews, or private legal fees if you do not qualify for legal aid.

The process for claiming asylum in New Zealand is currently experiencing significant backlogs.

• Allocation Wait Time: It currently takes 9 to 12 months from the day you lodge your claim until it is assigned to a Refugee and Protection Officer.
• Decision Time: Once an officer is assigned, the statutory goal is to reach a decision within 140 days, though this is frequently exceeded.
• Total Timeline: The entire process, from initial claim to a final decision (including potential appeals), typically takes between 18 to 24 months.

Document Validity: While your claim is "under consideration," you are generally permitted to remain in New Zealand on a claimant visa. If you are granted refugee status, your recognition does not expire, but your right to reside in New Zealand is finalized once you receive your Resident Visa.