Refugee status to PR

[refugee001]

Hello everyone,

I was just granted refugee status based on convention reasons in Christchurch after a roller-coaster of events in my life I am finally enjoying some mental and physical peace. I've been here in New Zealand for two years and a month. Now I am planning my next step, which is applying for PR so I have few questions regarding the form, fees for the application, police and medical certificates. In addition to that I have an inquiry about alternatives to my current passport on my current nationality. I hope I am not making too long a post, forgive me.

I identified the form INZ1000 (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rd.../0/INZ1000.pdf) as the correct form to fill. However, I am a bit confused about the part of which residence category I am applying under. I don't think Refugee Family Support Category applies to me. My hunch is to tick "Other" and specify "Refugee Status Grant". Is this sensible ?.

My refugee application was processed through legal aid since I did not have money to cover for the expenses. Today I am almost dry for money, I don't have the 900 dollars for the application fees,I have read the requirements in (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/44899.htm) where it says an officer may waive the fees but it is not clear to me how to bring this up. Should I write it in a statement and show bank account details or what should I do?. I have approached the Work and Income department for help finding a job and got myself registered but since I had made my refugee claim from within New Zealand I am not eligible for assistance as I was informed. My job searches haven't resulted in any potential offers yet.

With regard to the medical certificates, can anyone of the esteemed members of this forum here guide me to cheap and INZ-recognized medical centers in Christchurch where I can do the medicals for myself and my partner ?.

With regard to police certificates, I have lived in two countries besides New Zealand. INZ may have previous clearance certificates but these were issued more than two years ago. I can probably arrange for one certificate through an embassy in Willington for one of the countries but the other country's is impossible to get. How should I navigate this matter?

Finally, my current passport is expiring in November, I don't intend to renew it as my country of citizenship doesn't have an embassy here or in Australia. My country of citizenship has rolled out new biometric passports and since my current passport is not biometric then it'd have to be replaced by a biometric passport upon renewal, for that matter I have to present myself in person to the authorities in my country or its nearest mission (probably Indonesia) and have my finger prints taken and all that. A long hassle that I can not afford so I am just let it expire. Will this be a problem for me in the future? I guess I would only be eligible to have a NZ passport in a couple of years from now.

[JandM]

I hope there may be someone along who can share some experience on some of the points you mention. I haven't seen a case like yours mentioned on the threads here before, so I can't immediately give you any information, but I will have a look later to see if I can find any extra information.

[refugee001]

Thanks JandM. Yes, I was searching around the threads and haven't found anything similar to my query hence I started a new thread. I hope I can get some leads after some of the forum members think with me since it is very taxing on me at the moment to go this alone.

[Kanga]

Hello, welcome to the forum As far as I understand it you are in a slightly trickier position because you are not a quota refugee, ergo were not issued with PR and identity documents on arrival and did not come through Mangere and into the Red Cross support network. Have I got this right? Also, I don't think quota refugees are currently settled in Chch so you have a double disadvantage in terms of accessing support. But have you tried Christchurch Settlement Services? They might be able to help by putting you in touch with someone who can help sort your residence application and how you go about getting identity documents issued.
http://www.crs.org.nz/index.php/
Have you come across this organisation?

[refugee001]

Yes, you got it right, I am not a quota refugee. Things deteriorated back home and I have been under the radar of the authorities back home due to my political activities that I have sought refuge in New Zealand by directly approaching the Refugee office. This is why I have no idea where to start now that I am granted refugee status and I am really in a tough situation. I haven't come across the organization you suggested so thanks for that link.

[gkhan]

hi there Refugee001. can you please help me or give me some advise how to apply for refugee status. i will be grateful to you. thanks

[JandM]

refugee001, did you have any paperwork when you were given refugee status? I was thinking, there may be some instructions in there that would tell you exactly what to do.

Otherwise, as there is nobody on the forum, it seems, with personal knowledge, in your place I would go to the local INZ office and ask them your questions. You have the right to do this, and government departments in NZ are much more approachable and polite than you may be used to. The people on the desk are not the most senior officials, so you might need to ask to speak to a supervisor, or someone who has specialist knowledge about your situation, if the first person you speak to seems uncertain.

[refugee001]

Hi JandM, yes, I was given the written decision of the CO and she put in a couple of links to videos on how to settle in New Zealand other than that there was no indication on how to start taking the immediate next step which is applying for residence but I learnt from my lawyer that my residence application won't incur a fee as I am a recognized refugee however for the medical checks I will have to pay for that I am getting in touch with some clinics here in Christchurch and comparing their prices for the cheapest one.

Regarding the police certificates my lawyer indicated that I could write a judiciary statement before him to certify that I have no criminal record. So I will just go with this one.

I will approach INZ for the rest of my queries regarding the status of my passport and alternative identity forms. As it is I do currently hold a NZ drivers license. You're right, the professionalism that I have experienced by the INZ staff is remarkable and unparalleled which is reassuring for me to reach them without stressing about it.

[refugee001]

I am not really qualified to give advise here but from what I understand is that you have to be in New Zealand and get in touch with a police officer, a lawyer or any government agent who would be able to link you up with the concerned authorities.

[gkhan]

I am not really qualified to give advise here but from what I understand is that you have to be in New Zealand and get in touch with a police officer, a lawyer or any government agent who would be able to link you up with the concerned authorities.

thank you sir for the advise.