Partner of a Worker Visa

Partner of Worker Visa New Zealand

Your Partner Works in New Zealand — You Should Be There Too

If your partner holds a New Zealand work visa, there is a pathway for you to join them — and in most cases, to work here yourself. You do not need a job offer of your own. You do not need to apply separately from your partner. And your visa runs for the same duration as theirs.

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What Visa Will You Get?

It depends on what your partner earns and what type of work visa they hold.

If your partner holds an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), the visa you receive and your work rights depend on their wage level.

If your partner works in an ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3 role and earns at least NZD $28 per hour, you can apply for a work visa and work for an accredited employer. If they earn at least NZD $35 per hour (the current median wage) in a Green List role, or earn twice the median wage, you receive open work rights — meaning you can work for any employer, in any role. If your partner earns less than the median wage, you are not eligible for a work visa, but you may be able to join them on a visitor visa.

If your partner holds a different type of work visa (not an AEWV), your work rights will depend on their specific visa conditions. Your visa duration will match theirs.

Note: wage thresholds were updated from 9 March 2026 to reflect the current median wage of NZD $35.00 per hour. If you had a previous assessment based on older figures, it is worth checking where you stand now.

What You Need to Qualify

The core requirement is simple: you must be in a genuine and stable relationship with your partner and living together. INZ does not accept relationships where couples maintain separate homes, share accommodation only while on holiday, or live as flatmates.

Beyond the relationship itself, INZ looks at how long you have been together, how long you have lived together, whether you share financial responsibilities, and whether others recognise your relationship. You must also meet standard health and character requirements.

You and your partner must both be 18 or older (or have parental consent if aged 16 or 17), must have met each other before applying, and must not be close relatives.

Proving Your Relationship

This is where many applications run into difficulty. INZ requires evidence of a genuine and stable relationship — not just that you are together, but that your life is genuinely shared.

Useful evidence includes a joint lease or mortgage, joint bank accounts, shared utility bills, mail addressed to you both at the same address, photos together over time, messages and correspondence, and statutory declarations from people who know you as a couple. If you have spent periods living apart, you should explain the reasons and show how you maintained contact.

The stronger and more consistent your evidence, the smoother your application. An experienced adviser will help you identify what you have, what is missing, and how to fill any gaps before you apply.

Can You Include Your Children?

Yes. Dependent children can be included in your application or apply separately based on their relationship to you. Children can receive visitor or student visas but are not eligible for work visas. If your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident, dependent children cannot be included in the parent’s application and must apply separately.

Visa Duration and Cost

Your visa will be granted for the same length of time as your partner’s work visa. The application fee is NZD $1,630. INZ processes 80% of Partner of Worker work visa applications within 4 weeks.

How We Can Help

Partnership visa applications look simple but regularly run into problems — particularly around relationship evidence, AEWV work rights conditions, and situations where couples have spent time living apart. Getting the application structure right before lodgement avoids unnecessary delays and the risk of refusal.

Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd has handled partnership-based applications for clients from across South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific. We review your situation, identify the right visa type, and prepare a complete, well-evidenced application on your behalf.

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This content is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007. Immigration policies are subject to change. For advice specific to your circumstances, contact a Licensed Immigration Adviser.