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Frequently Asked Questions
Refugees who apply to be sponsored under the Community Refugee Sponsorship pathway must be mandated as refugees and pass security, risk, settlement and health assessments.Applicants must be residing in a country in one of the regions Immigration New Zealand’s humanitarian programme resettles from and where the international referral partner works. This includes Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Middle East and North Africa.*Applicants must not be eligible to be sponsored for residence under another family category, including the Refugee Family Support category.Principal applicants must have a basic understanding of 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.* 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 ofthe Europe region for the purposes of refugee resettlement.
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.
Refugees must be residing in a country or one of the regions INZ’s refugee quota programme resettles from: Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Middle East and North Africa.Refugees currently residing in Türkiye are not eligible to be resettled to Aotearoa under the Community Refugee Sponsorship programme. Türkiye is included as part of the Europe regionfor the purposes of refugee resettlement.
The Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme has been designed with multiple layers of support, oversight, and accountability to help ensure sponsored refugees receive high-quality settlement support and the opportunity to thrive in their new communities.Before an organisation can become an Approved Sponsor, it must demonstrate that it has the governance, financial capability, volunteer capacity, and settlement planning needed to support a sponsored refugee or refugee family. Organisations are also required to complete training, develop key policies, and meet the programme requirements set by Immigration NewZealand.Once approved, sponsors receive ongoing coaching, training, and practical support from HOST International Aotearoa New Zealand (HOST), the programme's umbrella organisation. HOST works alongside Approved Sponsors throughout the two-year sponsorship period, helping them deliver effective, person-centred settlement support. Approved Sponsors support sponsored refugees to access housing, healthcare, education, employment, language learning, and other essential services, while also helping them buildsocial connections, participate in community life, and develop the confidence and knowledge to navigate life in Aotearoa New Zealand independently.Approved Sponsors provide regular reports on sponsorship progress, while HOST maintains direct contact with sponsored refugees through independent wellbeing check-ins. Theseconversations give refugees an opportunity to share their experiences, raise any concerns, and identify additional support needs, while enabling HOST to provide timely advice and supportto sponsor groups where needed.Immigration New Zealand provides the policy framework, approval process, and programme oversight that enable community sponsorship. Community is at the heart of the programme.Together, Immigration New Zealand, HOST, Approved Sponsors, tangata whenua, refugee background communities, local organisations, and the wider community each play animportant role in creating welcoming and inclusive communities where sponsored refugees are supported to exercise rangatiratanga, make informed decisions about their own lives, build meaningful relationships, participate fully in community life, and develop a genuine sense of belonging in Aotearoa New Zealand.By combining government oversight, specialist support, community leadership, and shared responsibility, the Community Refugee Sponsorship programme creates the conditions forsponsored refugees not only to settle successfully, but to become connected, valued, and active members of their new communities.
HOST is the umbrella organisation for the Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme and partners with Immigration New Zealand to support the successful delivery of theprogramme. HOST works alongside community organisations throughout the sponsorship journey - from initial enquiry and application, through pre-arrival planning, to supportingsponsors and sponsored refugees during the two-year settlement period.HOST's role includes:Providing information, coaching, and guidance to organisations interested in becoming Approved Sponsors.Delivering training and practical resources to help sponsors prepare for their role.Supporting Approved Sponsors to develop the knowledge, skills, and systems needed to provide high-quality settlement support.Assisting sponsors with pre-arrival planning and helping them prepare to welcome sponsored refugees.Providing ongoing advice and support to Approved Sponsors throughout the sponsorship period.Maintaining regular contact with sponsored refugees through wellbeing check-ins to monitor settlement progress and identify any emerging support needs.Working collaboratively with Immigration New Zealand to support programme quality, continuous improvement, and positive settlement outcomes.By building the capability of Approved Sponsors and providing ongoing oversight and support, HOST helps ensure sponsored refugees receive the practical assistance, connections, andcommunity support they need to establish successful new lives in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Further information can be found on the Get Involved page.
Timeframes vary depending on individual circumstances, including identity verification, health, English language and immigration assessments, travel documentation, and the country from which the sponsored refugees are departing. Travel delays may also occur in some parts of the world.For straightforward cases, sponsored refugees are expected to arrive in Aotearoa New Zealand approximately 9–12 months after a sponsor organisation is approved.While preparations are underway:HOST will provide ongoing coaching and training, help your group prepare for arrival, and support your group to build a relationship with the sponsored refugees and understand their goals and settlement needs.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will coordinate international travel and work with HOST and your organisation to ensure everything is in place for a successful arrival and welcome.
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Approved Sponsors must meet a number of requirements, including:Be a registered entity*;Be able to demonstrate community outreach and connections within the broader community;Have demonstrated experience of working successfully with refugees or vulnerable people;Have the financial capacity to meet their settlement responsibilities;Be able to deliver settlement services for refugees - particularly arranging suitable accommodation and supporting sponsored refugees to secure meaningful and sustainable employment; andBe willing and able to enter into a Deed of Agreement for Services with Immigration New Zealand for the provision of settlement services to the agreed standard.* PLEASE NOTE: A registered entity is any legally registered organisation such as a charitable trust, incorporated society or business.We are looking for a diverse range of organisations throughout New Zealand who can become Approved Sponsors to support refugee individuals/whānau to live fulfilling and meaningfullives.Approved Sponsors will be open to new religions and cultures and have an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te ao Māori. They will also have connections and resources that will help refugees as they begin their new life in New Zealand.Participating in sponsorship is a significant responsibility. Potential sponsors will be assessed by INZ to ensure they have the capability and resources to offer sponsored refugees the support needed to resettle for two years.
Community organisations interested in sponsoring a refugee or refugee family are encouraged to contact HOST International Aotearoa New Zealand early in the process. As the umbrellaorganisation for the Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme, HOST provides information, coaching, training, and practical guidance to help organisations understand theprogramme requirements and prepare a strong application.Before applying, organisations should ensure they meet the eligibility requirements for the programme. The application process is designed to assess whether an organisation has thegovernance, leadership, financial capability, and volunteer capacity to provide high-quality settlement support for a sponsored refugee or refugee family over a two-year sponsorshipperiod.Throughout the process, HOST works alongside organisations by providing:Information sessions and programme guidanceOne-to-one coaching and adviceTemplates and practical resourcesSupport to develop required policies and plansFeedback on application documentsTraining to prepare sponsors for their role.As part of the application process, your organisation will need to:Demonstrate that it meets the eligibility requirements for the CORS programmeEstablish a CORS Core Group of at least five membersComplete the sponsor application and develop a comprehensive Settlement PlanPrepare a sponsorship budget, demonstrate financial viability, and outline how sponsorship costs will be metComplete the required police vetting and child safeguarding trainingDevelop and implement a Child Safeguarding and Protection PolicySubmit an application to Immigration New Zealand to become an Approved Sponsor.Applications are assessed by Immigration New Zealand against the programme requirements. HOST continues to support organisations throughout the assessment process and, onceapproved, prepares sponsor groups to welcome and support a sponsored refugee individual or family through either the nominated (sponsor-led) or matched pathway.All relevant application documents and guidance notes for the application process are available on the Get Involved page. A detailed process outline can be found on the same page.
Approved Sponsors play a central role in supporting sponsored refugee individuals and whānau throughout their first two years in Aotearoa New Zealand. Sponsorship is about more thanmeeting practical needs on arrival - it is about building trusted relationships, fostering belonging, and supporting refugees to establish independent, fulfilling lives in their new communities.Support begins well before arrival, with Approved Sponsors preparing accommodation, planning for settlement, and building relationships with the sponsored refugees. During theearly months, Approved Sponsor group members help refugees settle into daily life by providing practical support and connecting them with essential services. Over time, the focus shifts to building confidence, independence, social connections, and opportunities for long-term participation in community life.As an Approved Sponsor, your organisation will:Enter into a Deed of Agreement with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment | Immigration New Zealand (INZ)Work with INZ and HOST International Aotearoa New Zealand (HOST) to prepare for arrival and coordinate travel arrangementsSecure suitable accommodation before arrival and provide a warm welcome on arrivalSupport access to healthcare, education, English language learning, employment, and other essential servicesHelp sponsored refugees build community connections, participate in local activities, and develop a sense of belongingIntroduce sponsored refugees to te ao Māori, the history of the local whenua, and the unique cultural context of Aotearoa New ZealandProvide personalised settlement support, encouragement, and practical assistance throughout the two-year sponsorship period, adapting support as needs and goals evolveParticipate in programme monitoring, reporting, and evaluation to help ensure positive outcomes for sponsored refugees and continuous programme improvement.
Throughout the two-year sponsorship journey, the aim is to empower sponsored refugees to exercise rangatiratanga self-agency, make informed decisions about their own lives, achievetheir personal goals, and become connected, active members of their new communities.
Yes. Once your organisation has been approved as an Approved Sponsor, you may nominate an eligible refugee individual or refugee whānau (family) through the nominated (sponsor-led)pathway.The Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme operates through two sponsorship pathways. In both pathways, all refugees must meet the programme's eligibility criteria and successfully complete immigration, identity, health, English language, and security assessments. Immigration New Zealand retains responsibility for the final approval of all sponsored refugees.Nominated (Sponsor-led) pathwayApproved Sponsor organisations can nominate an eligible refugee individual or refugee family with whom they have an existing connection or relationship.Matched pathwayEligible refugee candidates are identified through an international referral partner and matched with an Approved Sponsor organisation in New Zealand.Both pathways provide the same level of settlement support and lead to the same Community Refugee Sponsorship visa outcome.
Approved Sponsors must have the financial capacity to support a sponsored refugee individual or whānau until the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is able to process their benefit claims. While there is no fixed timeframe, sponsors should be prepared to provide financial support for at least the first six to eight weeks after arrival.During this initial period, Approved Sponsors provide each sponsored refugee (adults and children) with sufficient financial assistance to meet essential living costs, including groceries,clothing, toiletries, and other everyday expenses. Initial payments should be at a level equivalent to New Zealand social welfare entitlements.The aim is not for Approved Sponsors to make financial decisions on behalf of sponsored refugees, but to provide the resources and support they need to make their own choices and manage their day-to-day living with dignity and independence from the outset. Approved Sponsor group members can offer guidance on budgeting and navigating New Zealand's financial systems, while respecting the autonomy, preferences, and decision-making of the individuals and whānau they are supporting.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) funds and coordinates the international travel of all sponsored refugees arriving through the Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme.
This includes the costs of:International travel to New ZealandRequired health assessmentsEnglish language assessmentsVisa processing.Approved Sponsors are responsible for welcoming sponsored refugees on arrival and arranging and funding any onward domestic travel to their settlement location. Approved Sponsors also ensure suitable accommodation and other arrival arrangements are in place so that sponsored refugees receive a safe and welcoming start to life in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Sponsored refugees arriving through the Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme do not spend time at Te Āhuru Mōwai o Aotearoa, the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre.Instead, they are resettled directly into their receiving community.Orientation to life in Aotearoa New Zealand is delivered through the Approved Sponsor group, with guidance, training, and resources provided by HOST International Aotearoa New Zealand(HOST). This reflects the community-led nature of the programme, where settlement support begins within the local community from the moment of arrival.HOST supports Approved Sponsors to prepare and deliver a comprehensive orientation programme, including practical information about daily life, services, systems, rights and responsibilities, and community life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Sponsor group members are also supported to tailor orientation to the needs, strengths, and goals of the sponsored refugee individuals or whānau they are welcoming.While Approved Sponsors lead the day-to-day orientation and settlement support, HOST provides coaching, resources, and ongoing advice to ensure sponsors are well prepared and confident in their role. This approach helps ensure sponsored refugees receive consistent, practical, and culturally responsive support as they begin building their lives in their newcommunity.
The Community Refugee Sponsorship website has been developed to provide your organisation with information to guide you through the application process for the Community Sponsorship programme. If your organisation's application is successful, further resources and information about the sponsorship process will be made available to Approved Sponsors.We regularly update the website with new information and resources and continue to add responses to your questions so check this space regularly.The following page gives you an overview of the application process: Get Involved.Application documents as well as supporting documents such as the Sponsorship Overview and Phase One Toolkit can all be found on the same page.The Sponsorship Overview outlines each phase of the Community Refugee Sponsorship journey. The Phase One toolkit provides further information on the application process.You can also discuss your organisation's questions with the team at HOST who can guide you through the process, answer any questions and provide additional information, resources andadvice. Get in touch via phone or email.
There is no closing date for applications to the Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, so you can submit your applicationonce your organisation is ready.Before applying, we strongly encourage you to connect with HOST International Aotearoa New Zealand (HOST) for guidance and coaching, and to ensure you have all required documentation,training, and planning in place to support a strong application.
Applications to become an Approved Sponsor for the Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme can be submitted at any time. There is no closing date, and applications are assessed on a rolling basis. Organisations are encouraged to engage with HOST before applying to receive guidance and coaching, and to ensure they have completed the required preparation and documentation to support a strong application.
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, rather than on fixed dates. Once an application is submitted, it is reviewed by an assessment panel. If the assessment panel requires any additional information or clarification, they will contact the applicant group directly for follow-up before a final decision is made. All applications are considered against the CommunityRefugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme requirements to determine whether an organisation is suitable to become an Approved Sponsor.
The Settlement Plan that you submit as part of your Approved Sponsor application does not need to be specific to a particular refugee individual or whānau. The purpose of the plan is foryour group to show that you have thought carefully about the types of settlement support that you will be required to provide throughout the settlement process, and that you have memberswho are able to provide the support. Once you have been connected to the refugee individual/whānau that your organisation will be sponsoring, you will be able to talk to them about their specific settlement needs and goals, update your Settlement Plan accordingly, and start to make the relevant arrangements.
Individuals and families are not able to sponsor a refugee by themselves. Approved Sponsors need to be a registered entity (i.e. a company, charity, incorporated society, or trust). However, we encourage individuals who are interested in sponsoring a refugee to join together with a registered entity and submit an application together.When identifying organisations that you could approach and partner with, have a think about organisations that have experience working with refugees and vulnerable people, connections with the broader community, and relationships with mana whenua in your area.We encourage people to be creative when bringing groups and individuals together to support refugees - the key point is to create an experience that helps refugees when they resettle in NZ.HOST might know of other organisations in your area that are interested in sponsoring refugees - so get in touch to find out what networks already exist.
If your community organisation is not a registered legal entity or is too small to fulfil all the requirements for becoming an Approved Sponsor, we encourage you to contact HOST to discuss other ways that you might be able to support refugees and the Community Refugee Sponsorship programme.Community groups come in many different shapes and sizes, from a group of family or friends to a sports club or book club – all of these groups offer skills and experiences that can help create welcoming environments for refugees when they resettle in Aotearoa New Zealand. they resettle in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Sponsored refugees are resettled anywhere in New Zealand – since Community Refugee Sponsorship is not limited to any specific parts of the country, sponsored refugees will have the opportunity to settle almost anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand, including outside of established resettlement areas.Sponsored refugees travel straight to their new communities when they arrive and are supported by their Approved Sponsors immediately.
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