If you have come to New Zealand as a refugee, you should not go back to the country you left as a refugee. Refugee status is given to people who needed to leave their home country because of serious concerns for their safety.
If you do return to your home country, even after many years of living in New Zealand, you could be at serious risk of arrest, detention, or face other consequences. This could happen even if the country you are visiting has approved your travel or issued you a visa.
Our ability to provide consular services to New Zealand citizens who previously held refugee status can be severely limited if you are travelling back to your home country.
Authorities may not recognise your New Zealand citizenship status. They may treat you as a citizen of your home country. If you have been arrested or jailed, authorities may deny you access to the New Zealand Embassy.
If you need to travel and you cannot get a passport from your country of citizenship, you may be able to apply for a New Zealand certificate of identity or refugee travel document.
Department of Internal Affairs rules mean that you need to be in New Zealand to get one of these documents. So if it is lost, stolen, or confiscated outside of New Zealand, your document cannot be replaced. You may not be able to travel back to New Zealand.
Find out more about Certificate of identity or refugee travel documents on the New Zealand Passports website.
Refugee and asylum claims are managed by New Zealand Immigration. Find out more about claiming asylum on the Immigration website.
If you are a dual citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand, there may be other things to consider before you travel. Find out more on our Dual citizens and permanent residents page.
