Affidavit Of Support Guarantee And Consent Template for New Zealand

An Affidavit of Support Guarantee and Consent is a sworn legal document that establishes your commitment to financially support someone applying for a New Zealand visa. This document creates a binding legal obligation under New Zealand law and serves as formal evidence to Immigration New Zealand that the visa applicant will have adequate financial support during their stay.

When do you need this document?

You will need to prepare an Affidavit of Support when sponsoring family members for residence or visitor visas, supporting international students who require financial guarantees for student visas, or assisting with work visa applications where financial support is required. The document is particularly important for parent and grandparent visa categories, partnership-based visa applications, and situations where the visa applicant cannot demonstrate sufficient personal funds. Immigration New Zealand often requires this affidavit when the primary applicant's financial circumstances alone do not meet the visa requirements.

Key legal considerations

Your affidavit creates legally enforceable obligations that extend beyond the visa application process. You are committing to provide financial support for accommodation, living expenses, and potentially healthcare costs if the supported person cannot meet these obligations themselves. The document must accurately declare your income, assets, and financial capacity, as false declarations can result in serious legal consequences including prosecution for perjury. Your obligations may continue for the duration of the visa holder's stay, and breach of these commitments could result in civil liability. The affidavit also grants Immigration New Zealand the right to pursue you for any public funds expended on the supported person's behalf.

Legal requirements in New Zealand

Under the Immigration Act 2009, your affidavit must be properly sworn before an authorised witness such as a Justice of the Peace, solicitor, or notary public in accordance with the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957. The document must include comprehensive financial information, including your annual income, assets, liabilities, and evidence of your ability to provide ongoing support. Immigration New Zealand requires specific formatting and content standards, including detailed relationship declarations and explicit support commitments. The affidavit must be current, typically no older than three months when submitted, and may require supporting documentation such as bank statements, employment letters, and asset valuations. Privacy Act 2020 considerations apply to the personal information disclosed, and you should ensure all details are accurate and verifiable as Immigration New Zealand may conduct verification checks.