H2.15 Sponsorship requirements (26/07/1999)

1. Applicants must be sponsored by a person who is:
   1. a close family member of the principal applicant or the principal applicant's spouse or partner included in the application, and
   2. a New Zealand citizen, or the holder of a New Zealand residence permit that is not subject to requirements imposed under section 18A of the Immigration Act 1987.
2. Sponsors must complete a Sponsorship Form for Residence in New Zealand, and be able to meet the undertakings in that sponsorship form.
3. Children aged 16 or younger are not eligible to be sponsors.
4. Children aged 17 to 19 are acceptable as sponsors only if they are able to satisfy a visa or immigration officer that they are able to meet the undertakings given in the sponsorship form.

H2.15.1 Definition of 'close family member'

In the context of Humanitarian category policy, close family member means:

1. a parent, adult sibling or adult child, or
2. an aunt, uncle, nephew or niece, or
3. a grandparent, or
4. a person who has lived with, and been part of, the applicant's family for many years, but is not an estranged or divorced spouse or partner.

H2.15.5 Evidence of sponsorship

Evidence of sponsorship is a sponsorship form, completed by the sponsor and endorsed by an NZIS branch in New Zealand, which:

1. confirms that the sponsor is a New Zealand citizen or holder of a current residence permit not subject to section 18A requirements; and
2. is endorsed with the official seal of the NZIS.

H2.15.10 Evidence of relationship

1. Evidence of the sponsor's relationship to the principal applicant or the principal applicant's spouse or partner included in the application must be supplied and may include but is not limited to:
   • birth certificates
   • marriage certificates
   • household registration documents if these establish the relationship of the applicant to the sponsor
   • adoption papers (see R3.5.1).
2. If the sponsor or principal applicant or the principal applicant's spouse or partner included in the application has been adopted by custom, a visa or immigration officer must be satisfied that a customary adoption has taken place (see R3.5.1).

Effective 26/07/1999