Permanent residence

Generally migrants need to have permanent residence or New Zealand citizenship to receive Special Needs Grant assistance. Permanent residence is granted by Immigration New Zealand. Citizenship is granted by the Department of Internal Affairs.

To get a Special Needs Grant, a client must normally:

• have a residence class visa under the Immigration Act 2009 (which can either be a resident visa or a permanent resident visa) or
• have a residence permit under Immigration Act 1987 or
• be deemed to hold a residence class visa in New Zealand under the Immigration Act 2009 (eg Australian citizens or residents) or
• be a British national who arrived in New Zealand prior to 2 April 1974 or
• be a New Zealand citizen

Note if you require further information about a client's application for permanent residence you must get consent from the client to contact Immigration New Zealand, or the client should obtain the information themselves. Otherwise the application should be declined. You must not collect or disclose information regarding a client's application without the client's consent.