The Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa allows individuals who have a spouse or long-term partner who is a resident or citizen of New Zealand to obtain permanent residence in New Zealand.
Individuals looking to travel to New Zealand temporarily, either for or shortly after a culturally arranged marriage, may instead wish to consider the Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa.
Who can apply for a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa?
You may be eligible for this visa if:
- you are in a settled, long-term relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident
- you and your partner are living with each other when you submit your application
- you meet the standard good health and character requirements for a New Zealand visa
As part of your application for this visa, you will need to demonstrate the genuine and stable nature of your relationship with your partner. Examples of this might include messages between yourself and your partner, a marriage or civil partnership certificate, evidence that other people recognise your relationship, or records of meeting shared financial responsibilities.
In order to act as your sponsor for a resident visa, your partner must also meet certain character requirements. In particular, they should not have any criminal convictions for sexual crimes or domestic violence.
New Zealand citizens and residents are restricted to sponsoring:
- one partner within a five-year period
- no more than two partners in total
What does a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa offer?
Succesful applicants for this resident visa:
- are granted permanent residence in New Zealand
- are able to work in any field, and for any employer
- are permitted to undertake full- or part-time study for any length of time
Applicants for this visa are permitted to include dependent children in their application providing that:
- they are single and aged 24 or younger
- they are financially dependent on an adult
- the applicant is their parent or legal guardian
- if they are aged 15 or younger, the applicant has the legal right to remove them from their home country
How do I apply for a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa?
Applications for this visa can be submitted online or on paper. When submitting the application and supporting evidence, an INZ 1178 form completed by the sponsoring partner must also be provided.
Once New Zealand Immigration has received an application for this visa, approximately 80% of applications receive a decision within nine months.
The cost of applying for a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa varies according to the applicant’s nationality and where they are living when they submit their application. depends on your nationality, as well as where you are submitting the application from and whether you are applying in paper or online. Application fees range from zero for some nationalities up to NZD $3610.
NB: If you apply from overseas and your visa application is approved, you will have 12 months in which to travel to New Zealand for your visa to remain valid. Your visa may also carry a travel condition which may need to be renewed at a later date if you choose not to later apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.
Mohamed Anas Sirajur Raheem
BA (Political Studies), LLB (VUW)
Mohamed is an enrolled Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, specializing in immigration law.
He is a former New Zealand Immigration Officer (Visa Services) and Border Officer at Auckland International Airport. He has several years of experience working in various Government Departments in New Zealand and has also worked as a Licensed Immigration Adviser at a prominent New Zealand Immigration firm.
His areas of expertise and interest are in the fields of General Skilled Migration, Temporary Work (Long and Short Stay), Business visas, Partner, Parent and Child Visa streams.
Mohamed was inspired to pursue a career in immigration by his own migration experiences. Over the years he has assisted individuals, families, large corporations, Professional sportspeople, and Entertainers (singers, speakers, and actors) to come to New Zealand.
