S3.15 Requirements for making an application for grant of residence

1. Applications for residence that are based on the recognition of New Zealand refugee status must be made in the prescribed manner (see R2.40) and must include a copy of the letter confirming the grant of refugee status.
2. Applications may be made at any New Zealand branch of the NZIS.
3. Appropriately delegated immigration officers should waive by special direction:
   1. the application fee for the principal applicant and any partner and/or dependent child(ren) recorded in the refugee status application, and
   2. the requirement to submit an overseas police clearance certificate from the country or countries in relation to which a well-founded fear has been established (see C2.5.1), and/or
   3. any other mandatory requirement for lodgement except the requirement to complete and submit an Application for Residence in New Zealand form together with two passport photographs of, and medical and X-ray certificates for, each person included in the application.
4. If a birth certificate for any person included in the application is unavailable, a statutory declaration confirming full name, date and place of birth and full names of both parents must be submitted.
5. If documents relating to the custody of any child under the age of 16 included in the application are unavailable, a statutory declaration confirming the legal custody of children must be submitted.
6. The principal applicant and partner included in the application, must supply evidence to show the nature and duration of their partnership, and that it is a genuine and stable partnership (see F2.20). If such evidence would be unduly difficult to obtain because:
   1. conditions in the relevant country are such that the country's governmental infrastructure is no longer functioning, and/or
   2. there are circumstances beyond the control of the applicants which prevent them obtaining the required evidence,

   a statutory declaration confirming the duration and nature of the partnership must be submitted.

7. If overseas police clearances are unavailable for any person aged 17 and older included in the application, a statutory declaration must be provided stating whether the applicant has been convicted, or found guilty of, or charged with, any offences against the law in the country or countries for which police clearance certificates are unavailable.
8. The NZIS will apply for New Zealand Police clearance certificates for the principal applicant and any dependants aged 17 years and over included in the application who have been in New Zealand for more than 12 months at the date the application is made.

Effective 29/09/2003