Refugee Quota Programme
Resettlement of 1,500 UNHCR-referred refugees each year, granted permanent residence on arrival.
Official New Zealand pageWho this route is for
Refugees mandated by the UNHCR and referred to New Zealand for resettlement; individuals cannot apply directly under the quota.
Eligibility requirements
- Be recognised as a refugee by the UNHCR and referred to New Zealand for resettlement
- Be accepted within the agreed annual quota composition set by the Ministers of Immigration and Foreign Affairs
- Meet health and character considerations assessed within the resettlement programme
- Complete the orientation programme at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre
Requirements reviewed July 2026. They change frequently — confirm the current rules on the official page before relying on them.
Recent changes & caveats
The quota was raised from 1,000 to 1,500 in 2020 and is reviewed every 3 years. Distinct from the asylum (Convention refugee) claims process for people already in New Zealand.
Other New Zealand routes
Samoan Quota Resident Visa (Ballot)
PermanentAnnual residence ballot granting permanent residence to citizens of Samoa.
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa (Ballot)
PermanentAnnual residence ballot for citizens of Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati and Tuvalu.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
PermanentPoints-based residence for skilled workers, scored against the NZ median wage.
Straight to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 1)
PermanentImmediate residence for people with a Tier 1 Green List job offer.