Protected person

A protected person is a person recognised under sections 130 and 131 of the Immigration Act 2009 when there are substantial grounds for believing they would be in danger of:

• being tortured if deported from New Zealand or
• arbitrary deprivation of life or cruel treatment if deported from New Zealand.

Once they are granted protected person status, a protected person needs to apply for a residence class visa to be entitled to reside indefinitely in New Zealand.

They meet the residency criteria for a Student Allowance from the date they are granted a residence class visa.

However, for study starting on or after 1 May 2022, a protected person meets the residency criteria for a Student Allowance from the date they are granted protected person status. They are not required to have a residence class visa, but are required to hold a valid temporary entry class visa.