If you’re moving to New Zealand as the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident, this guide outlines eligibility requirements, types of visas available and the evidence and documentation you’ll need.
If you’re moving to New Zealand as the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident, or you’re a Kiwi wanting to support your partner through the visa application process, this guide outlines the most important things you’ll need to know, including:
If you’re the long-term partner of New Zealand citizen or resident and you both want to move to the country, you’ll generally be eligible for a Partner of a New Zealander Visa.
There are several different types of visas available (outlined in the next section), and the most suitable visa for you will be determined by several factors, including:
To be eligible for a Partner of a New Zealander Visa, you’ll need to have been living together as a couple for at least 12 months (in most instances) and be able to prove you’re in a genuine, stable relationship.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will require a substantial amount of evidence to demonstrate the genuineness and stability of your relationship and to prove how long you have been living together. As well as official documents that show you both living at the same address, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate your relationship is genuine, which means including things like:
Most people applying for a Partner of a New Zealander Visa are surprised at just how much evidence is required – a marriage certificate alone is not enough, and the same amount of proof of the authenticity and stability of your relationship is required whether you’re married or not.
If you’ve been living together as a couple for less than 12 months when you choose to move to New Zealand, you may still be able to get a Partner of a New Zealander (Temporary) Work or Visitor Visa for a shorter duration, depending on the evidence you are able to provide. Alternatively, you may need to explore other visa options. There are other temporary visas that will allow you to travel, settle in the short term and build up the evidence of living together required for a long-term visa.
In some cases, you’ll need to go through the process of applying for and securing several different visas before you can settle in New Zealand permanently.
There are four types of partner visa available if you want to move to New Zealand as the partner of a citizen or resident:
This is a temporary visa allowing you to live and work in New Zealand as the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident. It is valid for three years, provided you’ve been living together for at least 12 months, or for one year if you’ve been living together for a shorter period of time. If you aren’t sure whether you want to settle in New Zealand for good, this option gives you and your partner the opportunity to decide if New Zealand is the right place for you before you apply for residence.
This is a temporary visa allowing you to visit New Zealand as the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident. If you’ve lived with your partner for less than 12 months, your visa will be valid for one year, after which you can apply for additional visas to stay for up to three years in total. If you’ve lived with your partner for 12 months or more, your visitor visa will be valid for up to three years. You cannot work in New Zealand on a visitor visa.
This visa allows you to obtain New Zealand residence as the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident. It’s worth noting that the processing time for a Resident Visa can vary – at the moment, 80% of applications are processed within seven months. When applying for this type of visa, you will need to ensure you allow enough time to get all your documentation together (see next section), including any medical examination results or police certificates, before submitting your application. If you’ve been living with your partner for less than 12 months, or if you want to travel sooner than it takes for your Resident Visa to be processed, you may need to go out to New Zealand on a temporary visa first.
If you’re the partner of a New Zealand citizen, you want to settle in New Zealand permanently, and you’ve been living with your partner outside of New Zealand for at least five years, you may be eligible for a Permanent Resident Visa immediately. If this isn’t the case, you’ll first need to obtain a Resident Visa, then you can apply for permanent residence after you’ve lived in New Zealand for two years.
When you apply for a partner visa, you will need to present various documents, including medical records, police certificates, and comprehensive evidence of your relationship. The documents you need will vary based on the visa you are applying for, and also your personal circumstances, but can include:
*The amount of evidence you are required to provide will depend on your specific circumstances and the requirements vary per visa, please note this is not a prescriptive or complete list.
Application for a New Zealand partnership visa requires a lot more than filling out a form and submitting documentation. To ensure your application is successful, you will need to craft a compelling case for INZ which demonstrates exactly how you meet their requirements.
As well as the forms and documentation, you’ll need to provide a detailed cover letter with your application, clearly and confidently articulating why you qualify for the partnership visa and explaining the evidence you have provided.
Therefore, it is always recommended that you work with an immigration professional who can prepare and complete your visa application form on your behalf. They will be able to bring all their knowledge and experience into getting your application right.
Additionally, after your visa application is submitted, a professional acting on your behalf will be able to continue liaising with INZ should any additional documentation or evidence be required, saving you significant time and stress.
