I arrived in New Zealand and I wish to claim asylum. Can UNHCR assist me?

The Government of New Zealand is a Contracting State to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol and has asylum systems in place to determine whether persons claiming asylum are refugees. UNHCR is not formally involved in determining whether a person is a refugee in New Zealand.

If you are in New Zealand and wish to claim asylum in New Zealand, you must approach the Refugee Status Branch of New Zealand. Further information is available from the Refugee Status Branch website.

To assist you in making a visa application, you may find it useful to seek the assistance of a lawyer or a migration agent.

There is a directory of licensed immigration advisers in New Zealand that may be accessed from the Immigration Advisers Authority.

I have applied for refugee status in New Zealand but my claim has not been successful. Can UNHCR assist me?

The Government of New Zealand has asylum systems to determine whether persons claiming asylum are refugees. These systems provide avenues for review and appeal. UNHCR is not formally involved in determining whether a person is a refugee in New Zealand. UNHCR does not review individual cases.

To assist you in the appeal process, you may find it useful to seek the assistance of a lawyer or a migration agent.