Partnership Work Visa NZ : Apply For Partnership Based Work Visa

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Partner of Worker visa

It is a category of visa usually applied for by applicants who wish to accompany or visit their partner who holds a Work Visa or is applying/has applied for a Work Visa. This visa allows you to be with your partner while they are in New Zealand on a Work Visa. It is an open Work Visa and with this visa, you can work for any employer in New Zealand.

The Essential Skills Work Visa holders earning below the median wage can only support partners on visitor visas, whereas, those earning at or above the median wage can support work or visitor visas for partners, and visitor or student visas for dependent children.

Check Out Latest Minimum Wages In New Zealand

In order to be eligible for this category of visa, you must be living together in a genuine and stable relationship with your partner as defined by the immigration instructions. You must also meet the health, character and fund requirements and your partner must support your application. It can be a daunting task to determine what visa you are eligible for and what documentary evidence you can provide that can satisfy the immigration requirements. This is where our experienced licensed immigration advisers can help you in deciding the right approach, guide you and help you with the application process.

With a Visitor Visa or a Work Visa, you can travel to New Zealand and stay for the same length of time as the Work Visa holder.

To find out more about how to apply under Partner of a Worker Visa category, assessment criteria and the pitfalls that you should be aware of, please call us today on +64 9 379 0219 or email contact@nzimmigration.info

FAQ’s

Q1. What are the requirements for Partnership based visa in New Zealand?

When you apply for a visa based on your partnership with a New Zealand visa holder or New Zealand citizen, that person is called your supporting partner.

You must be able to show that you & your supporting partner have been living together in a genuine and stable relationship for a visa to be granted based on your partnership.

Living together means sharing the same home as your partner, which doesn’t include:

spending time in each other’s homes while you each maintain your own home
sharing accommodation while on holiday
flatmate arrangements.

Partnership is assessed based on the following:

how long you’ve been together
how long you've been living together as a couple
your living arrangements
whether you support each other financially
how you share financial responsibilities
how committed you are to a life together
whether you own property together and/or share your property
any children you have together, including your arrangements for their care
whether you share common household tasks
whether other people recognise your relationship.

Examples of evidence of a genuine and stable relationship can include:

marriage or civil union certificates
birth certificates for any children you share
cards, letters, emails and social media conversations
photos together
evidence that others recognise your relationship
evidence you make decisions and plans together
evidence you parent together
evidence you spend leisure time together
a joint rental agreement or home loan
mail addressed to you together at the same place and time
joint bank accounts
evidence you own assets together
joint credit cards or hire purchase agreements
joint utilities accounts, like power or phone bills.

If you and your partner have spent time living apart, you should provide information about your separation, including:

the reasons you were living apart
how long you were living apart
how you kept in touch while apart.

Ref – Click here

Q2. What is the duration of partnership visa?

Partners and dependent children of student and work visa holders

They are given a visa in line with the partner/parent who is in New Zealand.

Partners of New Zealand citizen/ residents

If the couple has lived together for 12 months or more at the time when the application is assessed, then a visitor visa for a maximum of 24 months can be granted.

If the couple has lived together for less than 12 months at the time when the application is assessed, then the first visa granted cannot exceed 12 months duration. A further visa may be granted upon application for up to a maximum of 24 months from the date the first partnership visa was granted if certain criteria are met.

Q3. Can I include my children in my partnership application?

Yes you can. Dependent children may be included in your visa application provided they are single, financially reliant & the right age, or they can apply for a visa based on their relationship to you as their parent.

Partners and dependent children of student and work visa holders can be included in the same application provided they have not applied for work rights.

Dependent children aren’t eligible for work visas.

Dependent children of NZ citizens/residents cannot be included in the parent’s application.

Q4. Can I work on partnership visa?

Depending on your partner’s situation, you can apply for a visa to work in NZ while they are working or studying or if they are a NZ citizen or resident.

If your partner holds a work visa –
Your supporting partner in NZ cannot support your work, visitor or student visa if he/she holds any of the following visas:

a Fishing Crew work visa
a working holiday visa
a limited visa under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) or Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE) schemes
a Silver Fern Job Search visa
a Domestic Staff of a Diplomat work.

If your supporting partner in New Zealand holds an Essential Skills work visa -

If your supporting partner in New Zealand holds an Essential Skills Work Visa 20 July 2020 onwards and is paid at or above the median wage, he/she can also support a work visa for you.

If your supporting partner in New Zealand holds an Essential Skills Work Visa issued before 20 July 2020 and was assessed as high or mid-skilled, he/she can support a work visa for you.

If the supporting partner in New Zealand was assesses as lower skilled, he/she can support your work visa application only if,

you held a visa on 28 August 2017 that is based on your relationship to him/her, and the supporting partner has not been subject to a stand-down period, or
your supporting partner completed study in New Zealand and their student visa lets them support a work visa for their partner.

If your supporting partner in New Zealand earns below the median wage and you want to work, then you will have to apply for your own work

If your partner is a NZ citizen or resident-

You can join your partner and work in NZ as long as you continue to live together in New Zealand for the same period of time.

Your partner must support your application and also be eligible to support your application for residence if you decide to stay.

If your partner holds a student visa-

The partners of some students studying in New Zealand can join them to work here — it depends on what your partner is studying (course level) or if they’re on a NZ Aid Programme Scholarship.

Ref – click link

Q5. Do I need to get married to be able to apply for a Partnership Visa?

No you do not have to be married but you have to meet the required criteria.

Immigration New Zealand defines partnership as two people of the opposite or same sex, who live together in a genuine and stable relationship in any of the following:

a legal marriage
a civil union
a de facto relationship.

Ref – Click link

Q6. How long does it take for the decision?

There is no fixed timeframe. The processing time varies as per the category –

Partners of New Zealanders – 43 days to 6 months
Partner of student – 25 to 84 days
Partner of worker – 29 to 75 days

Note: Processing times may vary due to the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic.

Ref – Click here

Q7. What are the requirements to lodge a Partnership application?

When you apply for a visa based on your partnership with a New Zealand visa holder or New Zealand citizen, that person is called your supporting partner.

You must be able to show that you & your supporting partner have been living together in a genuine and stable relationship for a visa to be granted based on your partnership.

Living together means sharing the same home as your partner, which doesn’t include:

spending time in each other’s homes while you each maintain your own home
sharing accommodation while on holiday
flatmate arrangements.

Partnership is assessed based on the following:

how long you’ve been together
how long you've been living together as a couple
your living arrangements
whether you support each other financially
how you share financial responsibilities
how committed you are to a life together
whether you own property together and/or share your property
any children you have together, including your arrangements for their care
whether you share common household tasks
whether other people recognise your relationship.

Examples of evidence of a genuine and stable relationship can include:

marriage or civil union certificates
birth certificates for any children you share
cards, letters, emails and social media conversations
photos together
evidence that others recognise your relationship
evidence you make decisions and plans together
evidence you parent together
evidence you spend leisure time together
a joint rental agreement or home loan
mail addressed to you together at the same place and time
joint bank accounts
evidence you own assets together
joint credit cards or hire purchase agreements
joint utilities accounts, like power or phone bills.

If you and your partner have spent time living apart, you should provide information about your separation, including:

the reasons you were living apart
how long you were living apart
how you kept in touch while apart.

Ref – Click here

Q8. Can I lodge a partnership application on my own?

Yes you can.

You are not required by Immigration New Zealand to have an agent or representative to apply for any visa as all applicants are treated equally and they do not provide preferential service to applicants with an Adviser.

However, we advise you to apply through a recognized agency as immigration instructions, though may seem simple at first glance, are actually quite complex in nature and Licensed Immigration Advisers have in depth knowledge and experience to guide you correctly.

For any assistance, please contact Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219. Our experienced team of licensed immigration advisers will be happy to guide you

Q9. We haven’t lived together; can we apply for this visa?

You must be able to show that you & your supporting partner have been living together in a genuine and stable relationship for a visa to be granted based on your partnership.

If you do not meet this requirement, there are other visa categories that you can apply under.

To know more about this, please contact Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219. Our experienced team of licensed immigration advisers will be happy to guide you.