Join Your Partner in New Zealand
If your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident, you can apply to live and work here. The partnership visa lets you work for any employer or be self-employed, and it's a direct bridge to permanent residence. Same-sex and de facto relationships are recognised equally.
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Key Facts
- Partnership work visa: No minimum time living together — lets you work for any employer in New Zealand
- Partnership residence: Requires 12 months living together in a genuine and stable relationship
- Same-sex and de facto relationships are recognised equally alongside marriages and civil unions
- Government fee: ~$570 plus $1,060 IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy)
- Processing time: ~10 weeks for most applications
- Sponsor limits apply: Your New Zealand partner can only sponsor a limited number of people over their lifetime
What Evidence Looks Like
INZ needs to be satisfied your relationship is genuine and stable. Strong applications include a combination of:
- Shared finances — joint bank accounts, shared bills, or financial support
- Photos together over time — not just recent ones
- Communication records — messages, call logs, video chat history
- Travel together — flight bookings, hotel records, passport stamps
- Statements from friends and family who know you as a couple
How It Works
- Partnership work visa — Apply with relationship evidence to get a temporary visa that lets you live and work in New Zealand
- Live and work together 12+ months — Build your life together and continue collecting evidence
- Apply for partnership residence — Once you meet the 12-month requirement, apply for permanent residence
- Permanent residence — After 2 years on a residence visa, you can apply for permanent residence
Watch Out For
- Weak evidence packages are the #1 decline reason. INZ sets a high bar for "genuine and stable." A few photos and a joint lease aren't enough on their own — you need evidence across multiple categories.
- Start collecting evidence early. Don't wait until application time to realise you don't have enough documentation. Screenshots, records, and photos are easier to gather as you go.
What We Help With
- Building a comprehensive relationship evidence package
- Partnership work visa and residence applications
- Planning your path from partnership visa to permanent residence
- Advising on evidence gaps before you apply
This information is general in nature. Immigration policy changes regularly. Contact us for advice specific to your situation.
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