For many couples, the most stressful part of a New Zealand partnership-based visa application is the time spent apart. What was once a short wait can quickly turn into months of separation—especially when the application takes a long time to prepare, lodge, or receive a decision from Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
If you are worried that your separation period is growing because your partnership application is dragging on, this article explains why it happens and what you can do to minimise the time apart.
Many couples assume separation is caused only by INZ processing delays. In reality, most delays occur before lodging the application.
Here are the most common reasons:
Collecting evidence, drafting relationship timelines, preparing statements, and verifying documents often takes far longer than couples expect.
Many applications sit unfinished because clients underestimate the amount of relationship proof needed under the immigration instructions.
If the documentation is not strong enough:
All of this adds weeks or even months before the application can be submitted.
INZ requires:
Unsorted files, missing dates, or contradictory information slow everything down.
Address changes, job changes, name changes, or fresh relationship milestones all require updating the file—again prolonging the timeline.
Some couples simply wait too long before starting the process or assume a basic application will “do the job.” It won’t—especially under current scrutiny.
The key to reducing separation is to shorten YOUR preparation time, not just wait for INZ to move fast.
Here is what you can do:
Most partnership applications need 80–150+ pages of well-organised evidence.
If you start late, your separation automatically becomes longer.
Beginning early gives you time to:
A strong adviser will:
This alone reduces months of delay.
A “decision-ready” file means:
Decision-ready files often receive faster processing because they require minimal follow-up.
Trying to find photos, chats, travel proofs, financial records, or family statements after starting the application causes unnecessary delays.
Gather these early and organise them properly.
If you have lived together, provide:
Strong cohabitation proof speeds up decision making.
If you lived apart, INZ wants to know why, and the explanation must be credible and documented.
Clear, honest explanations prevent INZ from pausing your application while seeking clarification.
Whether you are applying for:
—getting the visa category right ensures your file meets the correct evidentiary threshold from the start.
Wrong category = longer separation.
To minimise time apart:
Separation is painful for any couple, but much of it can be avoided with early preparation, strong documentation, and correct visa strategy.
If your partnership visa is taking too long to prepare, the separation will naturally grow. But a well-organised, professionally prepared application can ensure that the time apart is either minimal — or avoided altogether.
At Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd, we specialise in complex partnership cases, cohabitation assessments, separation explanations, and decision-ready applications.
If you want to reduce your separation time and get your application lodged without delay:
Contact us anytime — we’re here to help you reunite faster.
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.