Affidavit Of Support Template for New Zealand

An Affidavit Of Support is a sworn legal declaration that demonstrates your financial ability to support someone through New Zealand's immigration process. This document creates a legally binding commitment under the Immigration Act 2009, requiring you to provide financial assistance to prevent the sponsored person from accessing public welfare benefits. Immigration New Zealand uses this affidavit to assess whether visa applicants will have adequate support during their stay in the country.

When do you need this document?

You'll need to complete an Affidavit Of Support when sponsoring family members for residence visas, supporting international students who lack sufficient funds, or assisting work visa applicants who require financial guarantees. The document is particularly crucial for parent category visas, partnership-based applications where the migrant partner cannot immediately work, and situations where the primary applicant's financial resources fall short of Immigration New Zealand's requirements. Student visa sponsors often use this document when the applicant's own funds don't meet the minimum threshold for their intended course duration.

Key legal considerations

Your Affidavit Of Support creates enforceable legal obligations that can last several years, depending on the visa category. You must accurately declare your income, assets, liabilities, and ongoing financial commitments, as false statements constitute perjury under New Zealand law. The document requires detailed evidence of your financial capacity, including employment contracts, tax returns, bank statements, and property valuations. Consider that your support obligations may continue even if your relationship with the beneficiary changes, and Immigration New Zealand can pursue you for recovery of any government assistance provided to the sponsored person. The affidavit must be properly witnessed and may require notarisation depending on the specific visa requirements.

Legal requirements in New Zealand

Under the Immigration Act 2009, your Affidavit Of Support must meet specific statutory requirements and demonstrate income levels that exceed Immigration New Zealand's minimum thresholds by substantial margins. The Statutory Declarations Act 1957 governs the document's format, requiring proper witnessing by authorised persons such as Justices of the Peace, solicitors, or notary publics. You must provide comprehensive financial documentation spanning at least the previous 12 months, including proof of stable employment or business income. The Privacy Act 2020 regulates how your personal financial information is collected and used throughout the immigration process, while the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 ensures your undertakings are legally enforceable. Immigration New Zealand may require additional supporting evidence or updated financial information if your circumstances change during the application process.