When someone agrees to be a sponsor, they are responsible for the sponsored person from the day they arrive in New Zealand until the day they get a new visa with a different sponsor or one that does not require sponsorship, or the day they leave, whether they are on a valid visa or in New Zealand unlawfully.

The responsibilities are clearly set out in the sponsorship form that a sponsor must complete and sign. The responsibilities include a commitment to ensure that every person they sponsor has suitable accommodation and financial support for the duration of their stay.  This commitment explicitly includes the costs of medical treatment and as such INZ expects sponsors to honour their commitment and pay for any medical costs incurred by their visitor. Failure to do so may result in the deportation of the sponsored person.  The Act also allows for third parties to claim for any breach in obligations.

Sponsors are advised that they may want to encourage people they sponsor to arrange travel (including medical) insurance before they come to New Zealand.   

There is no provision to withdraw sponsorship and people need to make sure they know all relevant details about an individual’s background and circumstances before they agree to become a sponsor in the first place.

The responsibilities under the Act do not extend to ensuring that the sponsored person does not breach the conditions of their visa.  However, responsible sponsors should probably ensure that anybody that they sponsor does not undertake any activity that may place them in breach of their visa conditions and thus potentially liable for deportation.

The sponsor’s obligations do not end if the sponsored person becomes unlawful – any costs incurred until the sponsored person receives a new visa or leaves New Zealand are the responsibility of the sponsor.