Partnership Resident Visa - An Ultimate Guide
If you have a partner who is a New Zealand citizen or resident, the Partnership Resident Visa can help you join them and build a life together in New Zealand. This guide will give you an overview of this visa, including its basic eligibility requirements, documentation requirements, the application process, and more.
It’s important to note, however, that it is not an exhaustive list of the requirements and nor is it intended as immigration advice, and I would recommend you engage an immigration lawyer for advice on your potential eligibility (based on your and your partner’s particular set of circumstances) and to help to ensure you provide the correct documentation and evidence to achieve success.
What is a Partnership Resident Visa?
The Partnership Resident Visa allows individuals to live, work, and study in New Zealand if they have a partner who is a New Zealand citizen or holds a resident class visa. This visa is ideal for those who wish to settle in New Zealand with their partner and enjoy the many benefits of New Zealand residency.
Who is Potentially Eligible for a Partnership Resident Visa?
To be potentially eligible for this visa, both you and your partner must meet all of the requirements contained in Immigration New Zealand’s “Immigration Instructions” (which are set out in Immigration New Zealand’s Operational Manual), including, for example:
Living Together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months: At the time of your application, you and your partner must have lived together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months. Each of these terms – “living together”, “genuine”, “stable”, etc - has specific meanings and evidential requirements within Immigration Instructions.
Partner’s Immigration Status: Your partner must be a New Zealand citizen or a resident class visa holder. If your partner’s New Zealand residence visa is based on their Australian permanent residence visa or current Australian resident return visa, or your partner is an Australian citizen who doesn’t hold a New Zealand residence visa, then New Zealand must be your partner’s primary place of established residence at the time of your application.
Eligible Supporting Partner: Your supporting partner must meet certain character requirements and must not be liable for deportation or have deportation liability currently suspended. Your supporting partner also must not have supported or been included in a successful partner application in the past five years. Furthermore, your partner cannot support your application if they have acted as a partner in more than one successful residence class visa application, which means if they have done any of the following more than once:
supported a successful Partnership Category application for a residence class visa; or
been the principal applicant in a successful Partnership Category application for a residence class visa; or
been the principal applicant in a successful application for a residence class visa that included a secondary applicant partner; or
been a secondary applicant partner in a successful application for a residence class visa.
Other eligibility requirements include, for example, that you and your partner are both aged 18 years or older at the date of application (or if either of you are aged 16 years or older but less than 18 years of age, you have the support of your parent(s) or guardian(s)), and you must have not be close relatives.
If your partner is a New Zealand citizen and you’ve been living together in a genuine and stable relationship outside of New Zealand for at least five years, you may qualify for a Permanent Resident Visa (rather than just a Residence Visa). However, there are a number of additional requirements in respect of this option, so it is worth seeking advice if you believe it might apply to you.
Key Requirements for an Application
Some of the key documentation requirements for a partnership residence visa application include:
Identity proof
These documents establish your identity and confirm that you are the person applying for the visa.
A valid passport or certificate of identity.
An acceptable passport-sized photo (for online applications) or 2 photos (for paper applications).
A birth certificate (original or certified copy for paper applications).
Health
Applicants must meet Immigration New Zealand’s stringent health requirements and undergo medicals to prove that they are in good health.
You must provide a medical examination report from an approved Immigration New Zealand panel physician to ensure that New Zealand’s health standards are met.
A chest x-ray from an approved Immigration New Zealand panel physician is usually required as well.
Character
Immigration New Zealand requires visa applicants to be of good character. People convicted of serious criminal offences or deported persons within the meaning of section 15 of the Immigration Act 2009 are not eligible to apply for a New Zealand visa. People convicted of other types of criminal offences or who, in the course of a visa application, have provided false or misleading information or withheld material information will require the grant of a character waiver. You must submit police certificates from:
Your country or countries of citizenship, and
Any country where you have spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years, even if not consecutively.
Your Partner’s Immigration Status
This shows that your partner is a citizen or resident of New Zealand and can support your application.
Your partner must provide proof of their New Zealand citizenship or residence, for example, through one of the following:
New Zealand passport
Birth certificate
Certificate of New Zealand citizenship
New Zealand residence visa
Your Supporting Partner’s Place of Residence (if relevant)
If your supporting partner’s New Zealand residence is based on their Australian permanent residence visa or current Australian resident return visa or your partner is an Australian citizen who doesn’t hold a New Zealand residence visa, then they must provide a range of evidence to show that New Zealand is their primary place of established residence at the time of the application. This includes, for example, correspondence addressed to them at their New Zealand address, utility bills or employment records, mortgage or tenancy agreements, tax records or benefit payment documents.
Your Partner’s Character
Your partner must also meet Immigration New Zealand's ‘good character’ requirements to ensure they are a suitable supporting partner.
Provide police certificates from countries they’ve spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
Meet character requirements, which exclude convictions for domestic violence or sexual offences. A character waiver may be required if applicable.
Your Relationship
You must provide evidence of both a genuine and stable relationship and meeting the minimum 12-month living together requirement. Evidence of meeting the 12-month living together requirement includes documents showing joint ownership of residential property, joint tenancy agreements, or rent books or rental receipts, and correspondence (including postmarked envelopes) addressed to you and your partner at the same address. Evidence of a genuine and stable relationship may include, for example:
Evidence of financial interdependence (e.g., joint accounts, shared expenses)
Evidence of time spent together (e.g., photos, communications)
Recognition of your relationship by others (e.g., affidavits or support letters from friends and family.
If you and your partner have lived apart for periods during your partnership, you’ll need to provide evidence to show genuine and compelling reasons for any period(s) of physical separation and how your relationship was maintained during any such period(s). Note that periods of physical separation are excluded from the 12-month living together calculation.
Including Dependent Children in Your Residence Visa
If you want to include dependent children in your application, specific evidence must be provided to show they meet the residence requirements. This includes, for example:
Birth certificates to prove your relationship to the children.
Evidence to show they meet the INZ health requirements and (for children aged 17 years and over) police certificates to show they meet the INZ character requirements
If your child is under 16 years of age and you are separated or divorced from their other parent, you must provide evidence of your legal right to remove the child permanently from their home country. If this applies to any child being included in your application, I strongly recommend you seek professional advice, as the Immigration Instructions in this area are stringent and complicated.
If your child is aged 21 to 24, you must provide evidence of them being totally or substantially reliant financially on you and/or your partner, whether living with you or not. I recommend seeking professional advice if this applies to any child being included in your application. Note that children aged 17 years or younger must be single, and children aged 18 to 20 must be single with no children of their own.
Process for a Partnership Residence Visa in New Zealand
Applying for a Partnership Residence Visa in New Zealand can seem overwhelming, but breaking it into steps makes it more manageable. Here’s a simple overview of the process:
Step 1: Check if You’re Eligible
Before starting, make sure you meet the basic requirements, some of the key ones of which are:
You and your partner have been living together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months.
Your partner is a New Zealand citizen or a resident class visa holder.
Your partner is an “eligible partner”.
Both of you meet the health and character requirements.
If considering a partnership residence visa, I recommend seeking professional advice to check your potential eligibility, your supporting partner’s potential eligibility to support your application, and any dependent child’s potential eligibility for inclusion in your application.
Step 2: Gather the Necessary Documents
Get all the required paperwork ready. Here are some of the key documents you’ll need (noting that you or your partner may be required to provide more documents and evidence depending on your circumstances):
For you, key documents include:
Your passport, birth certificate and passport-sized photograph(s).
A medical exam and chest x-ray (if required).
Police certificates showing good character (from your country or countries of citizenship and from all countries you’ve lived in for 12+ months during the past 10 years).
For your partner, key documents include:
Proof of New Zealand citizenship or residency (like their passport, citizenship certificate, or residence visa).
Evidence that New Zealand is their primary place of established residence (if their New Zealand residence visa is based on their Australian permanent residence visa, or current Australian resident return visa, or they are an Australian citizen who doesn’t hold a New Zealand residence visa).
Police certificates in respect of any countries where they’ve lived or visited for 12 months or more during the past 10 years.
Proof of Your Relationship:
Provide all of your evidence to demonstrate you and your partner have lived together in a relationship that is genuine and stable for at least 12 months.
Step 3: Fill Out the Application Form
Go to the Immigration New Zealand website and complete the Partnership Residence Visa application form.
Online Application: Have scanned copies of all your documents ready to be uploaded to your application.
Paper Application: Include with your original INZ application forms either all original supporting documents in your application package or copies of originals that have been certified by a lawyer, justice of the peace or notary public.
In addition to the Immigration New Zealand visa application form, your supporting partner will also need to complete and sign an Immigration New Zealand form, and there may be additional forms required depending on your nationality and whether you’re engaging someone else to lodge your application for you.
Step 4: Pay the Application Fee
The application fee for most nationalities is currently (as of May 2025) NZD $5,360, but it’s less for applicants from certain Pacific nations. You should always check the Immigration New Zealand website for the latest fee information, as they often increase. You can pay:
Online through the Immigration New Zealand website during the application submission process.
At the visa application centres (if submitting a paper application).
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Online: Upload all your documents and submit your form through the online portal.
Paper: Send your completed application and documents to the address provided by Immigration New Zealand.
Step 6: Wait for Confirmation
Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email or letter from Immigration New Zealand.
Step 7: Processing Your Application
Immigration New Zealand will carefully review your application. If your visa application is declined, they will, for example:
Check Health and Character: Assess your health and review police certificates.
Assess Your Partner’s Eligibility: Ensure your partner can support your application and meet their requirements.
Verify Your Relationship: Check your evidence to confirm it’s genuine and stable.
Step 8: Respond to Any Requests for further information or documentation
Immigration New Zealand might ask for additional documents or clarification. Respond quickly to meet Immigration New Zealand’s deadline and avoid delays.
Sometimes, Immigration New Zealand may require to interview you and your partner.
Step 9: Get the Decision
If Approved: You’ll receive your Partnership Residence Visa, allowing you to live, work, and study in New Zealand.
If Declined: You’ll get a detailed explanation and may be able to appeal or reapply.
Step 10: Travel to New Zealand or Update Your Status
If You’re Overseas: You’ll be issued with an approval letter together with an ‘eVisa’. You can now travel to New Zealand to live with your partner. You’ll normally be given 12 months from the approval date to enter New Zealand to ‘activate’ your visa and the 24 months of travel conditions that your residence visa will be subject to.
If You’re in New Zealand already: Your visa will be updated to show your new resident status, and you’ll be issued with an approval letter together with your new ‘eVisa’ with 24 months of travel conditions.
Processing Time
The processing time for the Partner-Based Residence Visa depends on several factors, such as the evidence provided and visa application volumes at Immigration New Zealand. Processing time usually ranges from 6 to 12 months. However, complex cases can take more time.
Benefits of the Partnership Resident Visa in New Zealand
Residency for You and Your Children: The visa helps you to build a future together in New Zealand with your loved ones.
Freedom to Live, Work, and Study: You can access New Zealand’s world-class healthcare, education, and job opportunities.
Pathway to Permanent Residency: This visa may lead to a permanent resident visa or citizenship, depending on your circumstances.
Tips for a Successful Application
Be Thorough: Provide detailed and accurate information to demonstrate you meet all requirements.
Submit Strong Evidence: The more robust your evidence of a genuine and stable relationship and living together for at least 12 months, the better.
Seek Professional Guidance: Consult an immigration lawyer to ensure your application is complete, increase your chances of success and reduce the risk of mistakes. Adopting the attitude of “I’ll lodge it myself and contact a lawyer if I encounter problems” can be foolhardy, as often seemingly simple mistakes (such as answering a question incorrectly) can be difficult and costly to fix. Given the significant sums involved and the importance of achieving the right result, it can be well worth the additional investment of engaging an immigration lawyer to ensure a strong application and a smooth application process.
The Partnership Resident Visa offers an incredible opportunity to join your partner and build a life in New Zealand. To make sure that you follow all the required steps and provide all the required documents, you should engage an Immigration Lawyer who will help you navigate the complex process with ease and reduce risks. With careful planning and preparation, and support from a skilled Immigration Lawyer, you can navigate the application process smoothly and look forward to a new chapter in your life.
Disclaimer: We have taken care to ensure that the information given is accurate, however it is intended for general guidance only and it should not be relied upon in individual cases. Professional advice should always be sought before any decision or action is taken.