Temporary entry class visa - visitors, work and students
People holding temporary entry class visas do not qualify for social housing unless they:
- are recognised as a refugee or protected person under the Immigration Act 2009 or
- qualify for and are getting Special Needs Grant Family Violence Programme or
- qualify for and are getting Emergency Benefit or Emergency Maintenance Allowance
Exception for New Zealand Superannuation grandparented non-qualified partner
When a client on New Zealand Superannuation has a partner who does not qualify for New Zealand Superannuation in their own right, in exceptional circumstances they may have been included as a grandparented non-qualified partner, even if they had a temporary entry class visa.
This is when the grandparented non-qualified partner is:
- awaiting the outcome of their application for refugee or protected person status and are lawfully in New Zealand (i.e. they have a valid temporary entry class visa under the Immigration Act 2009) or
- a refugee or has protected person status in New Zealand under the Immigration Act 2009 or
- applying for a residence class visa under the Immigration Act 2009 and is compelled to remain in New Zealand through unforeseen circumstances
If the partner has a temporary entry class visa such as a Visitor's Visa, a Temporary Work Visa, or a Student's Visa, they can only get payment while their visa is current. Therefore they can qualify for social housing while they are on a temporary entry class visa but only while they are getting New Zealand Superannuation.
Residence status reconfirmed regularly while client on register
A client’s residence status must be reconfirmed regularly while the client is on the register.
This ensures that if a formal offer of housing is made by a social housing provider the client meets the residence requirements.
