Policy verified from immigration.govt.nz as of 2026-04-13
New Zealand partnership-based visas allow individuals to join their spouse or partner in New Zealand. Categories include the Partnership Work Visa, Spouse Visa for married couples, and De Facto Partner Visa for couples in a genuine relationship for at least 12 months.
Source: immigration.govt.nz — 2026-04-13
Partnership Visa Categories
- Partnership Work Visa: Work in NZ while your residence application is being processed
- Spouse Visa: For married couples seeking to establish residence together
- De Facto Partner Visa: For couples in a genuine relationship for at least 12 months
Key Requirements
- Valid passport
- Health and character certificates
- Police clearance
- Proof of relationship (marriage certificate or evidence of de facto relationship)
- Financial requirements demonstrating self-sufficiency
- Accommodation details in New Zealand
Proving Your Relationship
INZ requires comprehensive evidence that your relationship is genuine and stable. This includes:
- Evidence of living together (tenancy agreements, utility bills in both names)
- Shared finances (joint accounts, shared expenses)
- Communication records (messages, calls, letters)
- Photos together over time
- Travel together
- Statements from friends and family
How ProVisas Helps
- We assess your relationship evidence and advise on what is needed
- We help you compile a strong evidence package that meets INZ expectations
- We prepare the complete application with proper documentation
- We handle complex situations such as long-distance relationships or previous visa issues
Partnership visa applications are frequently declined due to insufficient relationship evidence. A licensed adviser knows exactly what INZ is looking for and ensures nothing is missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main categories are Partnership Work Visa (for working while residence is processed), Spouse Visa (for married couples), and De Facto Partner Visa (for couples in a genuine relationship for at least 12 months).
De facto partners generally need to demonstrate at least 12 months of living together in a genuine and stable relationship. Married couples may have different evidence requirements.
Evidence of a genuine relationship includes proof of living together, shared finances, communication records, photos, travel together, and statements from friends and family who know your relationship.
Yes. New Zealand recognises same-sex relationships for immigration purposes. The same evidence requirements apply.
Processing times vary depending on complexity and completeness. Standard applications typically take several months. Providing comprehensive evidence upfront reduces delays.
