Community Refugee Sponsorship
What is Community Refugee Sponsorship?
The Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) category is a refugee visa pathway in Aotearoa New Zealand. It complements the Refugee Quota Programme and the Refugee Family Support Category by enabling communities to play a direct role in welcoming and supporting refugees.
Through CORS, refugees are resettled directly into local communities rather than through traditional government-led pathways. This approach centres on connection, belonging, and community-led support from day one.
Approved community organisations partner with refugee individuals and whānau (families), providing tailored support over a two-year period to help them settle, connect, and thrive.
Global Context of Community Refugee Sponsorship
Started in Canada in the 1970s, the Canadian community sponsorship programme has successfully resettled approximately 300,000 refugees since it began.
Today many countries such as Ireland, Australia, Argentina, Spain, and the UK have used the Canadian model to design community sponsorship programmes of their own.
"With the number of people fleeing their homes growing worldwide, the role of individuals and communities at a local level to address the increasing humanitarian needs becomes increasingly critical." (UNHCR)
Find out more about Community Refugee Sponsorship globally from UNHCR: Community sponsorship | UNHCR
In Aotearoa New Zealand, 200 refugees were be resettled by approved sponsor groups over a four-year extended pilot Community Refugee Sponsorship programme (2021 – 2025).
Watch the video below for an introduction to the Aotearoa New Zealand programme:
Community Refugee Sponsorship in Aotearoa
The Community Refugee Sponsorship programme enables all New Zealanders to welcome refugees to Aotearoa New Zealand. The programme supports organisations and community groups to directly engage in refugee resettlement by committing to providing financial, emotional, and practical support to help newly arrived refugees integrate into life in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Programme Status
Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme to become permanent
From 1 July 2026, the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme will become a permanent complementary pathway within New Zealand’s Refugee Quota Programme, with applications opening from that date for both sponsors and eligible refugees.
CORS places will be introduced gradually, starting with 50 places in 2026/27, then 200 places available annually per year thereafter.
We will shortly be providing more information on:
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Eligibility criteria for sponsors
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How to apply
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The support and expectations involved
In the meantime, you can find more information here:
Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship programme to become permanent :: Immigration New Zealand
Role of Immigration New Zealand
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is responsible for the policy, administration, and oversight of the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme.
INZ works in partnership with HOST and sponsoring communities to ensure the programme is delivered effectively and achieves positive outcomes for refugee newcomers and their host communities.
Key responsibilities include:
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Setting programme policy and eligibility requirements
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Assessing and approving sponsor organisations
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Managing refugee referrals, selection, and visa processing
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Monitoring programme delivery and outcomes
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Providing programme oversight and governance
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Supporting the ongoing development of Community Refugee Sponsorship in Aotearoa New Zealand
Our Role as the Umbrella Organisation
HOST International Aotearoa New Zealand is the umbrella organisation for the Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme, funded by Immigration New Zealand.
Working in partnership with Immigration New Zealand, we help establish, deliver, and strengthen the programme across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our role is to support community sponsor groups to successfully welcome and settle refugee newcomers, while ensuring the programme remains consistent, effective, and aligned with its core principles.
We do this by:
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Providing training, resources, and practical tools for sponsor groups
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Offering coaching, guidance, and ongoing support throughout the sponsorship journey
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Building the capability and confidence of communities to welcome and support newcomers
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Promoting quality, consistency, and good practice across the programme
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Upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and supporting culturally responsive approaches to settlement
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Facilitating connections, learning, and collaboration between sponsor groups and programme partners
We walk alongside sponsor groups at every stage of the process, helping them create welcoming communities where refugees can rebuild their lives, establish meaningful connections, and thrive.
As part of our role, we also engage directly with refugee applicants overseas, providing clear information about the programme, life in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the sponsorship process. This helps people make informed decisions about whether Community Refugee Sponsorship is the right pathway for them and their families.
By supporting both sponsoring communities and refugee newcomers, we help build strong foundations for successful settlement and long-term inclusion.
Together, we are building welcoming communities where newcomers and local communities can thrive alongside one another.
Meeting with UNHCR to provide update on CORS
To find out more about the programme, visit https://www.refugeesponsorship.org.nz/