Afghans who fled from the Taliban to New Zealand in the past two years have a new way to bring family over.
An RNZAF C130 landed in Kabul, Afghanistan early last year to evacuate people. Photo: Supplied / New Zealand Defence Force
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The government has decided to include them under the refugee family support category from the end of next month.
Up till now, they have not qualified as refugees so did not have the right visa to sponsor family members for residency.
That is being opened up to them, though the cap on how many people can come in this way is not being raised above the current 600 places a year.
"Demand is very high and extending eligibility will add to the demand," Immigration NZ said.
Priority would be given to people with no other family in New Zealand, and it would take two-to-three years to decide on any new applications, it said.
