Partnership Visa

• Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
• Partner of a Worker Work Visa
• Partner of a Student Visitor Visa
• Partner of a Student Work Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa

“Partner Up for a Future in New Zealand”

If your partner is a New Zealand citizen/resident or holds (or applies for) a student or work visa, you could qualify for a partnership visa to join them.

This visa category also offers permanent residency opportunities if you’re in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen/resident. Your partner in New Zealand must support your residency application. You must provide evidence of living together in a committed relationship for Immigration New Zealand to consider your application.

Partners of Workers and Students

If you are in a relationship with someone with a temporary work or student visa, you may be eligible for a visa based on your partnership. This will depend on various factors such as the duration of their visa, the course they are studying, or their occupation.

Recognition of Relationship

To prove your relationship to Immigration New Zealand, you must provide supporting evidence.

• Relationship timeline
• Correspondence to the same address
• Utility bills
• Joint bank account statements
• Support letters
• Photos, etc.
• Temporary or residency
  

For You:
To be eligible for a partnership visa in New Zealand, you must either be in the country on another visa or plan to move to New Zealand to join your partner. Additionally, you must prove that you are in a genuine, stable relationship, have lived together for at least 12 months, and meet health and character requirements.

For Your Partner:

Your partner, a New Zealand citizen or resident, must demonstrate that they can support you financially and must not have any domestic violence-related offences or sexual convictions. Additionally, they must not have sponsored more than one partner for residence within the last 5 years.

If your partner is an Australian citizen or resident visa holder living in New Zealand, they must show that New Zealand is their primary place of residence.

Step-By-Step Guide to The Application Process

1. Determine eligibility for a partnership visa based on Immigration New Zealand’s requirements.
2. Gather all necessary documents and evidence to support your application.
3. Complete and submit the application form and pay the application fee.
4. Attend a biometric information appointment if required.
5. Wait for your application to be processed and reviewed by Immigration New Zealand.
6. Attend an interview, if requested by Immigration New Zealand.
7. Wait for a decision on your application.

Documents Required for Application

1. Proof of partnership, such as joint bank account statements, shared rental agreements, and/or photographs together.
2. Identification documents, such as passports and birth certificates.
3. Proof of English language proficiency, if required.
4. Police clearance certificates from all countries where you have lived for more than 12 months in the past 10 years.
5. Medical certificates, if required.

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost of the Partnership Visa application varies based on factors such as your country of origin, location when applying, and submission method. In addition, expenses for medical exams, police records, and translation may apply.

Unfortunately, there are no refunds in case of a declined application. To find out the exact application cost based on your circumstances, check INZ’s fee finder.

Reasons for Being Declined and Common Mistakes

• Failing to accurately assess whether their partner is eligible for a partnership visa
• Failing to document their relationship thoroughly
• Providing evidence that is insubstantial and/or of poor quality
• Immigration NZ is not convinced that your partner is an eligible New Zealand citizen or resident
• 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