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The Partner of a New Zealander Visas allow the partners of New Zealand citizens or residents to live and work in New Zealand. Whether applying for a temporary work visa or a resident visa, this visa ensures that you can stay with your partner in New Zealand while enjoying full work rights or preparing for residency. Explore the options available to partners and discover the requirements for eligibility and application.
The Partner of a New Zealander Visa allows partners of New Zealand citizens or residents to live and work in New Zealand. This visa provides a pathway for both temporary work rights and potential residency, depending on your situation and the length of your relationship.
For the Work Visa, your stay depends on the length of your relationship and the visa held by your partner, up to a maximum of three years. The Partnership Resident Visa provides indefinite residency once approved.
Applicants must be in a genuine, stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident. Proof of the relationship, including shared living arrangements, will be required.
With a Work Visa, you can live and work in New Zealand temporarily. With the Partnership Resident Visa, you gain permanent residency, with full work rights and the ability to sponsor family members.
If applying for the Work Visa, you may transition to the Partnership Resident Visa once eligible, based on your relationship duration and stability. This visa provides a direct route to permanent residency in New Zealand.
Step 1:
Ensure you are in a genuine, stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Step 2:
Collect required documents such as proof of your relationship (shared living, finances) and your partner’s citizenship or residency status.
Step 3:
Submit your visa application online via the Immigration New Zealand portal.
Step 4:
Immigration New Zealand reviews your application and may request additional information.
Step 5:
Upon approval, you can live and work in New Zealand either temporarily or permanently, depending on the visa type.
Step 6:
Step 7:
Step 8:
In this webinar, learn the ins and outs of the Partner of a New Zealander Visa. Discover the eligibility criteria, application steps, and the benefits of both temporary work visas and residency pathways. This session will provide expert guidance on how to successfully apply, while answering your specific questions about living and working in New Zealand as a partner of a citizen or resident. Get the information you need to confidently begin your visa journey.
Prefer to make a direct enquiry rather than attend a webinar? This option offers you personalised assistance tailored to your specific situation. By choosing a direct enquiry, you'll save time and receive expert guidance from NZIL’s team on your Partner of a New Zealander Visa application. Whether you need help understanding your eligibility, preparing documents, or navigating the process, we’re here to provide clear, customised advice every step of the way.
There are many possible reasons why Partnership Visa applications are unsuccessful, even when you think you’ve done everything right. The most common reasons for rejection include:- Immigration NZ is not convinced that your New Zealand citizen or resident partner is not eligible to support your case- The immigration officer is not satisfied that your relationship is genuine and stable- The immigration officer is not satisfied that you have lived with one another for the required period of time- Either you or your partner are already married or in a civil union with another person- You don’t meet health and character requirements Immigration NZ requires a more accurate picture of your relationship than just a marriage certificate. You’ll need to provide a range of information such as utility bills, photographs, letters, and other documents. An immigration lawyer can help you understand which documents are relevant and which are not.
The application cost will vary, depending on your country of origin, what country you’re in when you apply, and whether you submit your application online or by post. Also bear in mind that you will have to pay for medical screenings, police records, and possibly translations. There are no refunds if your application is declined. To determine the application cost based on your specific situation, visit INZ’s fee finder.
Processing time will vary depending on how and when you apply for the visa. Immigration New Zealand states that 75 percent of Partnership Visas take up to 13 months to process.
This category is suitable for couples who are:- Married- In a civil union (opposite or same sex)- In a de facto relationship (opposite or same sex)- Not legally married or bound by a registered civil or de facto partnership but who can demonstrate that they are in a committed and durable relationship. In all cases, the relationship must be of a genuine and stable nature, which means the relationship is exclusive and likely to last.
You may apply online or by post. To apply for a Partnership Visa, you will need to prove that you have lived with your partner for at least 12 months. Our free webinar will walk you through the entire application process, detailing the essentials required for a successful application. We also provide 1 on 1 consultations if you'd like a professional review before submitting to ensure it gets accepted.
You'll need to provide documentation that validifies your relationship as genuine. Recommended types of evidence include statements showing your joint ownership or mortgage of a property, joint tenancy agreements, rent books, rental receipts or bills/letters addressed to both you and your partner. You may also need to supply medical screenings and police records.
Your family can be included in your Active Investor Plus Visa application. This can include a secondary applicant (such as your spouse/partner), and any dependent children under the age of 24 years.
If you’re applying for a visa based on your relationship, you and your partner will need to meet specific criteria in order to apply. Learn more about the visa requirements for you and your partner. If you’re looking to move your family over based on your working visa, find out more about family visa options.
