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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 under the Immigration Act 2009, 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 Loan 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 Loan from the date they are granted protected person status under the Immigration Act 2009.

They are not required to hold a Residence Class Visa, but are required to hold a valid Temporary Entry Visa.

For more information see:

Residency - Student Loans
Entitled to reside indefinitely in New Zealand
Refugees
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A residence class visa means a:

A residence class visa allows people to live in New Zealand indefinitely. The visa also lets people work and study in New Zealand. There are different travel conditions based on the type of residence class visa.

Residence class visas are granted by Immigration New Zealand.

For the purpose of deciding if a person meets the residence criteria for financial assistance from MSD, people who ...