Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa

Building Your Life Together in NZ

If you are in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident, the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa offers a pathway to permanent residence, allowing you to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely alongside your loved one.

At ZFS NZ, we understand the deeply personal nature of this visa. Since 2022, our Auckland-based team has been dedicated to helping partners reunite and build their futures in New Zealand.

Understanding the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa

This resident visa category is designed for individuals who are in a committed relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident. It allows you to gain permanent residency, granting you the same rights and privileges as your partner in New Zealand.

Key aspects include:

  • Permanent Residency: Successful applicants are granted a resident visa, which is a step towards potentially a Permanent Resident Visa (after a qualifying period).

  • Full Work & Study Rights: You will have the right to work for any employer in any field, and study full-time or part-time without restriction.

  • Freedom of Movement: You can travel in and out of New Zealand as often as you like once your visa is granted (subject to initial travel conditions).

Eligibility Requirements for the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa

To be eligible for this visa, both you and your New Zealander partner must meet specific criteria:

For the Applicant (You):

  • Genuine and Stable Relationship: You must be in a genuine and stable relationship with your New Zealand citizen or resident partner. This includes legal marriages, civil unions, and de facto relationships (where you live together).

  • Living Together: You must have been living together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months immediately before you apply for the visa.

  • Good Health: You must meet Immigration New Zealand's health requirements. This typically involves a medical examination and chest X-ray from an approved panel physician.

  • Good Character: You must meet Immigration New Zealand's character requirements. This usually requires providing police certificates from your country of citizenship and any other country where you have spent 12 months or more over the last 10 years.

  • Age: You and your partner must generally be 18 years or older, or have parental/guardian consent if aged 16 or 17.

  • Met in Person: You and your partner must have met each other before applying.

For the Supporting Partner (Your New Zealander Partner):

  • New Zealand Citizen or Resident: Your partner must be a New Zealand citizen or a holder of a New Zealand resident visa.

  • Eligible Sponsor: Your partner must be eligible to support your application. This includes:

    • They have not supported a successful resident visa application for more than one previous partner.

    • They have not supported a successful resident visa application for a previous partner within the last 5 years.

    • They have not themselves been included as a partner in a successful residence application within the last 5 years.

    • They must meet good character requirements.

The Application Process

Applying for the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa involves several key steps:

  1. Eligibility Assessment: We conduct a thorough review of your circumstances and your partner's to confirm eligibility and identify any potential challenges.

  2. Gathering Documentation: We guide you on collecting all required personal documents, health and character certificates, and crucial evidence of your relationship.

  3. Application Preparation: We meticulously prepare your application form and supporting documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance with INZ requirements.

  4. Submission: We submit your complete application to Immigration New Zealand on your behalf, whether online or by paper.

  5. Liaison with INZ: We manage all communication with Immigration New Zealand, responding to any requests for further information to prevent delays.

  6. Decision & Beyond: We inform you of the decision and provide guidance on any next steps, including understanding your visa conditions.

Processing Times: While processing times can vary, Immigration New Zealand generally aims to process most Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa applications within 8 to 8.5 months. Providing a complete and well-evidenced application can help expedite this.

Why Choose ZFS NZ for Your Partner Visa?

  • First Hand Experience: Our Licensed Immigration Adviser, Faris helped his wife immigrate to New Zealand through the partnership pathway.

  • Specialised Expertise: We have in-depth knowledge of partnership visa policies and the nuances of relationship assessment.

  • Evidence Strategy: We help you identify and organise the strongest evidence to present a compelling case for your genuine and stable relationship.

  • Stress-Free Process: We handle the complexities, allowing you to focus on your relationship and planning your future in New Zealand.

  • Ongoing Support: From initial consultation to visa approval, we're with you every step of the way.

Ready to build your life together in New Zealand? Contact us today for a comprehensive consultation on the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa. Let's make your shared dream a reality.