What is the difference between community organisation sponsored refugees and quota refugees?

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The Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) visa category complements New Zealand's
Refugee Quota Programme and Refugee Family Support Category by providing an additional
pathway for refugees to rebuild their lives in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Under the CORS programme, approved community organisations partner with sponsored
refugees to support their settlement and inclusion. These organisations are responsible for
providing settlement support for two years, helping refugees establish their new lives and
become connected members of their local communities.

Unlike refugees resettled through the Refugee Quota Programme, sponsored refugees settle
directly into their host community upon arrival. They do not spend time at Te Āhuru Mōwai o
Aotearoa, the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre, before beginning their settlement
journey.

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Can I apply to be resettled in New Zealand under the Community Refugee Sponsorship programme?

 

There is no open application process for the Community Refugee Sponsorship programme.
CORS operates through two sponsorship pathways, and the government retains full control
over final selection in both. All refugees must meet all eligibility criteria and pass full
immigration and security checks.

To be considered for the Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme, eligible refugees
can enter the programme through one of two pathways:

Nominated (Sponsor-led) Pathway: Approved New Zealand-based sponsor organisations can
nominate an eligible refugee with whom they have an existing connection or relationship.

Matched Pathway: Eligible refugee candidates are identified through an international referral
partner and matched with an approved sponsor organisation in New Zealand.

HOST International Aotearoa (HOST) is unable to provide immigration advice to refugees, or
match refugees with interested community organisations.

If you are in contact with a community organisation in New Zealand that is interested in
sponsoring you, please advise them to contact HOST for more information about how to
become an Approved Sponsor (eligibility criteria apply). Potential sponsor organisations and
sponsored refugees must meet the eligibility criteria of the Community Refugee Sponsorship
programme. An interested community group must be formally approved before they can
nominate a refugee or be matched with a sponsored refugee.

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My family has already resettled in New Zealand, can I be sponsored under this programme?

 

Refugees who are eligible to be sponsored for residence under another Immigration New
Zealand family visa category (including the Refugee Family Support category tier 1 and tier 2)
are not eligible to be sponsored under the Community Refugee Sponsorship programme.

The Community Refugee Sponsorship programme is designed to be complementary to the
Refugee Quota system and other Immigration New Zealand family visa categories. It aims to
provide a resettlement option for refugees who are not currently eligible under those existing
pathways.

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There is an Approved Sponsor in New Zealand who is interested in sponsoring me, what other criteria do I need to meet?

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To be eligible for a Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) visa refugees must:

• Be referred by the international referral partner or nominated by an Approved Sponsor

• Be residing in one of the regions INZ resettles refugees from. This includes Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Middle East and North Africa.*

• Meet standard immigration requirements (health, character, and security checks), and 

• Not be eligible under another refugee family sponsorship category.

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Principal applicants must also:

• Have basic English

• Be a recognised refugee

• Have at least 3 years’ work experience or a qualification requiring at least 2 years’ post-secondary study, and

• Be aged 18 to 45.

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* Please note that refugees currently residing in Türkiye are not eligible to be resettled to New Zealand under the Community Refugee Sponsorship programme. Türkiye is included as part of the Europe region for the purposes of refugee resettlement.

 

Source: Immigration New Zealand Community Refugee Sponsorship Programme
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/community-organisation-refugeesponsorship-
programme-to-become-permanent/

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What help can HOST International Aotearoa (HOST) provide to refugees?

 

HOST's primary role is to support and coach Approved Sponsors so they are well equipped to
welcome and assist sponsored refugees throughout their settlement journey.
 

Before arrival, HOST works alongside Approved Sponsors to help sponsored refugees
understand the Community Refugee Sponsorship programme, make informed decisions about
participating, and prepare for life in Aotearoa New Zealand. HOST also provides guidance to
Approved Sponsors to support sponsored refugees in completing programme requirements,
including the Expression of Interest, English language assessment, and other application
processes.

Following arrival, HOST continues to provide ongoing advice, training, and practical support to
Approved Sponsors throughout the two-year sponsorship period. In addition, HOST maintains
regular contact with sponsored refugees through wellbeing check-ins to monitor how they are
settling, identify any emerging needs, and ensure both sponsored refugees and Approved
Sponsor groups receive the support they need for a successful sponsorship experience.