New Zealand: Immigration Permissions for Afghan Evacuees

Key Points    

  • New Zealand will expand support to Afghan evacuees beginning in September 2023 

Overview    

The government of New Zealand introduced additional support measures for Afghan refugees and evacuees. Under these measures, Afghan evacuees who are not recognized as a refugee under the Refugee Family Support Category (RFSC) will have the possibility to reunite with immediate family located in New Zealand.  

The RFSC is a visa category that allows refugees to sponsor family members for residence who would not otherwise qualify. It supports reunification with wider families, which helps refugees to settle more successfully. There are 600 RFSC places available each year.  

What are the Changes?    

The government of New Zealand will expand support to Afghan evacuees beginning in September 2023. According to the announcement, these measures will provide additional protections to nationals of Afghanistan who have been forced to leave the country.  

Looking Ahead    

Continue to check the government of New Zealand’s website and Envoy’s website for the latest updates and information.