G5.15 Family sponsorship (01/10/2001)

1. Sponsorship by a family sponsor in accordance with this section must be awarded 3 points.
2. A family sponsor must:
   1. be an adult sibling or adult child, or parent, of a principal applicant, or of the principal applicant's spouse or partner included in the application, and
   2. be in New Zealand, and
   3. be a New Zealand or Australian citizen or the holder of a current residence permit that is not subject to requirements under s18A of the Immigration Act 1987, and
   4. have been a New Zealand or Australian citizen and/or the holder of a residence permit or a returning resident's visa for at least three years immediately preceding the date the application under the General Skills category policy is made, and
   5. in each of the three 12 month portions within that three year period, have spent a total of 184 days or more in New Zealand.

G5.15.1 Definition of 'adult sibling for sponsorship purposes' and 'adult child for sponsorship purposes'

1. For sponsorship purposes, 'adult sibling' and 'adult child' mean a sibling or child aged 17 years or older.
2. However, siblings and children aged 17 to 24 must only be considered 'adult siblings for sponsorship purposes' or 'adult children for sponsorship purposes' if they can satisfy an immigration or visa officer that they are able to meet the undertakings given on the sponsorship form.

G5.15.5 Undertakings of sponsors

Family sponsors must undertake:

1. to ensure that adequate accommodation in New Zealand is and continues to be available for their relatives; and
2. to provide accommodation during the first 24 months of their relatives' residence in New Zealand if necessary; and
3. to provide financial support during the first 24 months of their relatives' residence in New Zealand if necessary, and
4. to repay to the Crown any costs to the Crown which result from their failure to meet their obligations as a sponsor and acknowledge that if those costs are incurred they become a debt due to the Crown.

G5.15.10 Evidence of relationship to family sponsor

1. To obtain points for having a family sponsor, a principal applicant must provide:
   1. birth certificates, which establish the relationship of the sponsor to the principal applicant or their spouse or partner included in the application, or
   2. evidence of adoption (see R3) which establishes the relationship of the sponsor to the principal applicant or their spouse or partner included in the application.
2. If the principal applicant cannot obtain birth certificates or other evidence of the relationship of the sponsor to the principal applicant or their spouse or partner included in the application, visa or immigration officers should seek:
   1. confirmation from an overseas post that the relationship was declared in any earlier applications for entry from the sponsor or other immediate family members, or
   2. confirmation from a branch office of the NZIS that the relationship was declared in any earlier applications from other family members.

G5.15.15 Evidence of sponsorship

Evidence is a Sponsorship Form for Residence in New Zealand which:

1. confirms that the sponsor is:
   1. in New Zealand, and
   2. is a New Zealand or Australian citizen or the holder of a current residence permit that is not subject to requirements under s18A of the Immigration Act 1987, and
   3. has been a New Zealand or Australian citizen and/or the holder of a residence permit or a returning resident's visa for at least three years immediately preceding the date the application under General Skills category is made, and
   4. that in each of the three 12 month portions within that three year period, has spent a total of 184 days or more in New Zealand; and
2. contains the undertakings required (see G5.15.5).

G5.15.20 Evidence of immigration status of sponsors

1. Evidence that sponsors are New Zealand citizens may include but is not limited to original or certified copies of:
   • a valid New Zealand passport
   • a Certificate of New Zealand Citizenship
   • a recent official statement of citizenship from the Department of Internal Affairs
   • a New Zealand birth certificate.
2. Evidence that sponsors are New Zealand residents may include but is not limited to:
   • a current New Zealand residence permit or returning resident's visa in their passport or travel document
   • a valid Australian passport.

G5.15.25 Evidence of time spent in New Zealand as a citizen and/or holder of a residence permit

1. When determining the amount of time spent in New Zealand, the NZIS may refer to NZIS records of sponsors' entry to and exit from New Zealand.
2. Other evidence of time spent in New Zealand may also be provided by a sponsor or sought by the NZIS.
3. Sponsors may be required to provide current and previous passports as evidence of time spent in New Zealand as a citizen and/or holder of a residence permit.

Note: Periods during which a residence permit has been held are calculated inclusive of both arrival and departure dates.

Effective 01/10/2001