PARTNER BASED VISAS – NEW ZEALAND

If your partner is a valid resident, New Zealand citizen, or holds a study or work visa, you might be eligible for a partner-based visa in New Zealand.

If your partner holds an appropriate visa or is a New Zealand citizen, you might be eligible to apply for a visa to join them in New Zealand. New Zealand offers a range of partnership-based visas that allow partners of visa holders or citizens to stay in the country for the same duration as their partner’s visa.

Some of these visas enable you, as the partner, to study, work, or live in New Zealand. Each type of partner visa has specific eligibility criteria and conditions that must be met, but there are many options available.

 A key condition for all partnership-based visas is proving that you and your partner have a genuine and stable relationship.

PARTNER OF A NEW ZEALAND RESIDENT Visa

This visa allows you to apply for residency in New Zealand if your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident visa holder. With this visa, you can live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely, and you can include dependent children aged 24 and under in your application.

 If your partner’s New Zealand residence is based on their Australian citizenship, Australian permanent residence, or resident return visa, you can only apply if your partner lives in New Zealand.

If your partner is a New Zealand citizen and you have been living together outside of New Zealand for 5 years or more, you may qualify for a permanent resident visa. Your partner must either be overseas when you apply or have been back in New Zealand for less than 3 months.  

Get in touch with us for more information

Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa | Immigration New Zealand)

PARTNER OF A NEW ZEALAND WORK Visa

You can stay in New Zealand for 2 years if you have been living with your partner for more than 12 months. If you have been living together for less than 12 months, you can stay for 1 year, with the possibility of extending your stay up to a total of 24 months.

• It’s important to note that you can only be granted this visa once if you receive a 2-year visa. Before your visa expires, you can apply for residence based on your partnership.
• However, you cannot include dependent children in your visa application; they must apply for visas based on their relationship to you. . 

Get in touch with us for more information

Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa | Immigration New Zealand

Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa

This visa allows you to join your partner and explore New Zealand as a visitor. You can study for up to 3 months, but you are not permitted to work while on a visitor visa. The visa is valid for up

to 2 years, and before it expires, you can apply for residence based on your partnership. Important to note: From 17 June 2024, any documents not in English must be accompanied by English translations.

Get in touch with us for more information

Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa | Immigration New Zealand

Visas for Partners of Students Holding New Zealand Student Visas

Holding a New Zealand study visa, your partner might make you eligible for several different New Zealand visas. Some of the visas you could consider applying for include:

• Note: You cannot work in New Zealand on a visitor visa.
• Important: Starting from 17 June 2024, English translations must be provided for any documents not in English.

Partner of Student Visitor Visa

With this visa, you can join your partner, explore New Zealand as a visitor, and study for up to 3 months. You can apply for this visa simultaneously with your partner’s student visa application. Your visa will only be granted after your partner’s application is approved.

Get in touch with us for more information

Partner of a Student Visitor Visa | Immigration New Zealand

Child of a Student Visitor Visa

With this visa, your children can join you in New Zealand, attend school for up to 3 months, and explore the country as visitors. You can apply for your children’s visas at the same time as your student visa application, and their visas will only be granted once your application is approved by NZ Immigration.

• Note: If your children need to study for more than 3 months, they will require student visas. The length of stay for your children will be the same as your student visa.
•  This visa is available for children aged 19 years and younger, and 80% of applications are processed within 9 weeks.

Get in touch with us for more information

Child of a Student Visitor Visa | Immigration New Zealand

Partner of a student work Visa

The Partner of a Student Work Visa allows you to work in New Zealand if your partner is studying an eligible level 7 or 8 qualification, or any level 9 or 10 qualification. The length of stay is the same as your partner’s student visa, and 80% of applications are processed within 9 weeks. With this visa, you can join your partner, work in New Zealand, and study for up to 3 months.

• Note: You do not need a job offer in New Zealand to apply.
• However, you cannot include dependent children in your visa application; they must apply for visas based on their relationship to you.

Get in touch with us for more information

Partner of a Student Work Visa | Immigration New Zealand

Dependent Child Student Visa

You can apply for this visa to bring your dependent children to study at a primary or secondary school in New Zealand. To be eligible, you must hold an appropriate work or student visa.

A dependent child can stay in New Zealand for the same length of time as the parent’s visa. This visa is available for children aged 19 years and under. The processing time for 80% of applications is within 9 weeks.

With this visa, a dependent child can join their parent in New Zealand and study at a primary or secondary school. They will be treated as a domestic student, which means you don’t have to pay tuition fees for them to attend school.

• Note: If your child wants to study at the tertiary level, they will need to apply for a Fee-Paying Student Visa instead.
• It’s important to note that some work visa holders are not eligible to support applications for this visa.
• Dependent children of Student Visa holders are only eligible if one of their parents is in New Zealand for an approved student exchange scheme, is enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme at a New Zealand university or has a New Zealand Aid Programme Scholarship.
• Additionally, children entering New Zealand for adoption may be eligible for this visa, so you should check the criteria for your relationship with the child.

Get in touch with us for more information

Dependent Child Student Visa | Immigration New Zealand

Visas for Partners of New Zealand Military Personnel

If your partner holds a military visa in New Zealand, you might be eligible for several different New Zealand visas. With one of these visas, you can visit New Zealand and stay for the same length of time as your partner.

• Important: Starting from 17 June 2024, English translations must be provided for any documents not in English.

Partner of Military Visitor Visa

This visa allows you to join your partner in New Zealand if they hold a military visa. You can stay for the same duration as your partner’s visa, with 80% of applications processed within 11 weeks. With this visa, you can join your partner, explore New Zealand as a visitor, and study for up to 3 months. However, you are not permitted to work with this visa.

Get in touch with us for more information

Partner of Military Visitor Visa | Immigration New Zealand

Partner of Military Work Visa

This visa allows you to work in New Zealand while your partner is here on a military visa. You can stay for the same duration as your partner’s military visa, with 80% of applications processed within 5 weeks. With this visa, you can join your partner, work in New Zealand, and study for up to 3 months.

• Notably, you don’t need to have a New Zealand job offer to apply, and it’s free to apply.
• However, you can’t include dependent children in your visa application, but they can apply for visas based on their relationship with you.

Get in touch with us for more information

Partner of Military Work Visa | Immigration New Zealand

In conclusion, New Zealand offers a variety of partner-based visas to accommodate the diverse needs of partners of residents, citizens, and visa holders. These visas provide opportunities for partners to live, work, and study in New Zealand, ensuring they can fully participate in the country’s vibrant community.

Whether you are joining a partner who is a resident, a worker, a student, or military personnel, there are specific visa options tailored to your situation. It is essential to meet the eligibility criteria and provide evidence of a genuine and stable relationship to successfully obtain a partner-based visa.

Navigating the visa application process can be complex, but understanding the different options available can help you make an informed decision. From temporary visitor visas to permanent residency options, New Zealand’s immigration policies are designed to support family unity and integration. By choosing the right visa, you can embark on a new chapter in New Zealand, enjoying all the opportunities and experiences the country has to offer. For more detailed information and personalized assistance, it is advisable to reach out to our experts at Contact New Zealand.