Let’s talk honestly.
A partnership visa is not just a form you fill out. It’s your ability to stay together, work legally, and build a stable future in New Zealand. That’s a lot riding on one application — so of course people feel anxious.
If you’re feeling nervous, uncertain, or overwhelmed, you’re not overreacting. Almost every genuine couple goes through the same fears.
Let’s walk through them properly.
This is the biggest worry.
Immigration New Zealand doesn’t approve partnership visas just because you’re married or have been together for years. They assess whether your relationship is:
That sounds simple — until you realise it has to be proven with documents.
Many couples assume:
“We have wedding photos and a marriage certificate. That should be enough.”
It’s not.
Immigration officers look for day-to-day life evidence:
Think of it this way: they are not judging your love story. They are assessing documented consistency.
This catches many couples off guard.
In most partnership categories, living together is not optional — it’s essential.
Common situations I see:
Then the panic question:
“We’re legally married but haven’t lived together long enough. Is that a problem?”
Yes. It can be.
Immigration policy is evidence-driven. Time spent physically living together matters. If there are gaps, they must be clearly explained — not ignored.
If you’ve:
You’re probably worried this will resurface.
Partnership visas are relationship-based, yes. But credibility still matters. If your history shows inconsistencies or compliance issues, officers will look more closely.
It doesn’t automatically mean refusal — but it must be addressed carefully and transparently.
Many couples assume:
“My partner is a resident. So we’re fine.”
Not always.
Sponsors must meet certain requirements. Issues that cause trouble:
Sometimes the applicant is fine — but the sponsor isn’t eligible. And couples only discover this after applying.
That’s painful and preventable.
If Immigration has doubts, they may conduct separate interviews.
This is where strong couples suddenly panic.
People worry about:
Remember: interviews test consistency, not perfection. Minor differences are normal. Major contradictions are not.
Preparation reduces anxiety. Guesswork increases it.
Partnership visas are not strictly income-based like some other countries.
But financial stability still influences credibility.
If one partner:
Immigration may look deeper at whether the relationship appears interdependent and sustainable.
It’s about overall picture — not just bank balance.
This one is rarely spoken about openly.
Some temporary visa holders quietly worry:
That emotional imbalance can be serious.
There are provisions under special circumstances (such as domestic violence), but many applicants either don’t know or are afraid to seek help.
Immigration status should never trap someone in an unsafe situation.
Processing times stretch. Months go by.
Meanwhile:
Uncertainty is exhausting.
But here’s the reality: delays are common. Weak applications cause longer delays.
Strong, organised applications reduce unnecessary back-and-forth.
Here’s what I consistently see:
A partnership application is not about emotional storytelling.
It’s about structured evidence aligned with policy.
Want to avoid these mistakes?
Most refusals happen due to missing or poorly organised evidence.👉 Download Partnership Visa – Evidence Checklist
A structured list of documents Immigration New Zealand actually expects.
Being genuine is not enough.
You must prove you’re genuine.
Couples who treat this casually often face unnecessary stress. Couples who treat it like a structured legal process — organised, transparent, complete — stand much stronger.
If you’re anxious right now, that’s normal.
But anxiety should push you to prepare properly — not to rush.
Because in partnership cases, preparation is protection.
No. You can apply as:
However, living together in a genuine relationship is essential in most partnership categories.
There is no fixed minimum for temporary visas, but for residence categories, longer periods of living together strengthen your case.
If you have not lived together, or have significant gaps, Immigration may decline the application.
Common documents include:
Well-organised documentation reduces delays.
Periods apart must be clearly explained and supported by evidence. Temporary separation does not automatically disqualify you — but it must be justified.
Partnership visas are not strictly income-based. However:
Yes. If you have:
These must be disclosed and properly addressed. Non-disclosure is far more damaging than past issues.
Your partner must:
Past sponsorship history can affect eligibility.
If Immigration has concerns, they may conduct interviews (sometimes separately). Preparation helps ensure clarity and consistency.
Vandana Rai is a Senior Licensed Immigration Adviser and has built a reputation around her rare set of skills, which could be considered ideal for her legal profession.