FAQ Partner of Worker

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

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.

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.

If your partner holds a Work Visa –

If your partner holds a Work Visa, they cannot support your work or visitor visa if they hold a visa under certain conditions. These include being a foreign crew member of fishing vessels, holding a Working Holiday Scheme visa, or a limited visa under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) or Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE) schemes, among others.

If you are the partner of a NZ Student Visa holder –

If your partner holds a Student Visa, you can work in New Zealand only if your partner is studying a Level 7 or 8 qualification that is in the Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa List or the Green List. You can also work if your partner is studying a level 9 or 10 qualification. If your partner is studying a level 7 or 8 course that started before 7 September 2022, then you will be eligible to apply for a work visa.

If your partner is a NZ Resident or citizen –

If your partner is a NZ Resident or Citizen, you can join them and work in New Zealand as long as you continue to live together for the same period of time, and your relationship is genuine and stable. Your partner must support your application and also be eligible to support your application for residence if you decide to stay.

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

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

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

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

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.