Join or bring your partner to New Zealand
You may be able to come to New Zealand based on your relationship
Getting a New Zealand visa based on partnership
If your partner holds (or applies for) a student or work visa, or is a New Zealand citizen/resident, you may be able to join them on a partnership visa.
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Types of partnership visas
These are the most common partnership-based visas.
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
Recognition of relationship
To prove your relationship to Immigration New Zealand, we will ask you to provide supporting evidence, such as:
- Relationship timeline
- Correspondence to the same address
- Utility bills
- Joint bank account statements
- Support letters
- Photos, etc.
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Temporary or residency?
If your partner is a New Zealand resident/citizen, but you have been together for less than 12 months, you may be granted a temporary work visa usually valid for 12 months. If you have been living together for 12 months or more, you may seek a 3-year work visa, and/or a resident visa based on your relationship.
If your partner is a work visa holder, your partnership work visa would be granted for the same duration as theirs.
If your partner is a student visa holder, you may be able to come for the same amount of time, but they can only sponsor you if they are studying:
a level 7 or higher qualifications in an occupation in the Green List, or;
towards a postgraduate qualification.
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What happens if INZ does not recognise the partnership?
We are here to ensure your application is successful!
In other cases, your application may be declined, or your case officer may decide to grant you a visitor visa instead, to further establish your relationship.
So, can I get residence through partnership?
If you can prove at least 12 months of relationship and have been living together, you may be eligible for residence based on partnership, providing your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident.
My English is not so good… is that a problem?
There is no requirement to meet a minimum standard of English to be eligible under temporary partnership categories. There are different requirements for most residence categories.
There are a number of criteria for your partner to be an eligible sponsor. Each person’s situation is different, contact us now to discuss your particular situation.
Contact usThere are a number of criteria for your partner to be an eligible sponsor. Each person’s situation is different, contact us now to discuss your particular situation.
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