Refugees coming to New Zealand
Find out who can come to New Zealand as a refugee and what happens when you arrive.
Who can come to New Zealand as a refugee
A refugee is a person who is forced to flee their own country and seek safety in another country.
What is a refugee? — United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Refugees come to New Zealand either under the:
- UNHCR Refugee Quota Programme
- as an asylum seeker claiming refuge under the Refugee Convention
- as a family member of a refugee under the ‘Refugee’ Family Support Category Resident Visa.
Refugee Quota Programme
New Zealand takes 1500 refugees each year under the UNHCR Refugee Quota Programme.
If you want to come to New Zealand under the Refugee Quota Programme:
- you must be recognised as a refugee by the UNHCR, and
- the UNHCR must refer your case to Immigration New Zealand.
Immigration New Zealand will then consider your case and check to see if you meet the immigration criteria.
Information for Refugees, Asylum-seekers and Stateless People — UNHCR
Claim asylum in New Zealand
You must be in New Zealand to claim refugee or protected person status (also known as claiming asylum). You must have a well-founded fear of returning to your home country. There are very strict rules that you need to meet.
Claiming refugee or protected person status — Immigration New Zealand
Family members of a refugee in New Zealand
Refugees that have been granted residence may be able to sponsor family members to come and join them in New Zealand.
Refugee Family Support Resident Visa — Immigration New Zealand
When you arrive in New Zealand
If you are approved to come to New Zealand as a refugee under the Refugee Quota Programme, Immigration New Zealand will grant you permanent residence on arrival.
Refugees settling in New Zealand — Immigration New Zealand
Setting up your life in New Zealand — Immigration New Zealand
Your new home
Towns and cities across New Zealand take in refugees. When you move to your new town or city, you will be supported by the Red Cross or another local organisation.
These organisations can help you:
- set up your home, including taking you to get groceries for the first time
- sign up for services, such as doctors, libraries and sports clubs
- enrol your children in school
- get used to living in New Zealand.
Learn English
English is the main language used in New Zealand. Māori and New Zealand Sign Language are official languages in New Zealand.
You can learn English through online courses, classes or home tutoring.
Want to learn English? — English Language Partners
Work and Income may help with the costs of English language classes to help you get a job.
Course participation assistance — Work and Income
Translation services
Get documents translated
The Department of Internal Affairs Translation Service can translate your documents into English from over 70 languages.
Translating official documents
Get a language interpreter
Many government organisations, councils and medical centres offer interpreters over the phone or through video calls. There are interpreters for over 120 languages available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To get an interpreter, call or visit the organisation you need to talk to and:
- ask for an interpreter — “Can I have an interpreter please.”
- tell them the language you need — “I need it for (language)”.
Finding work
The Red Cross can help you to find a job. They can help you:
- write your CV or cover letter — your CV is a document you give to employers that lists your work history, experience and skills
- plan your career and goals
- find and apply for jobs that match your skills
- support you into training, study or work experience opportunities
- prepare for interviews with employers.
While looking for work, you may be able to get financial help from Work and Income.
Re-establishment grant — Work and Income
Healthcare
As a New Zealand permanent resident you may be able to receive government-funded healthcare. This means the government will pay some or all of the costs of your healthcare.
Mental health support
While at the resettlement centre, Refugees as Survivors New Zealand (RASNZ) provide mental health services to all incoming refugees. If you need it, they will make a referral for you for ongoing mental health care after you leave the resettlement centre.
The Red Cross also provide specialist refugee mental health services in the Wellington area.
Specialist refugee mental health services — Red Cross
School for children
Your child’s education is free between the ages of 5 and 19 at state schools. State schools are government-owned and funded. Your support person can help you find and enrol your child in school.
Our education system — Ministry of Education
Support refugees
The Immigration New Zealand website has helpful information for education providers, immigration advisers, government organisations and professionals who help refugees.
Supporting refugees — Immigration NZ
Volunteer to support refugees
You can sign up to help support refugees as they settle into life in New Zealand.
Who to contact for more help
If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact one of the following agencies.
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Immigration New Zealand
Contact and agency details -
Work and Income
Contact and agency details
Utility links and page information
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