Partnership-Based Temporary Visa: NZ Guide

A partnership-based temporary visa allows the partner of a New Zealand citizen, resident, or eligible work-visa holder to live and work in NZ. This visa category recognises genuine and stable partnerships: marriages, civil unions, and de facto relationships.

Qualifying as a “genuine and stable” partnership

INZ assesses partnership genuineness across several categories of evidence:

• Duration of the relationship
• Shared financial responsibilities: joint bank statements, shared bills
• Shared living arrangements: tenancy agreements in both names
• Commitment to a shared life: joint travel, shared planning
• Social recognition: photos together, statutory declarations from friends and family

What evidence couples typically provide

• Joint bank statements
• Shared tenancy agreements
• Photos together (across the partnership timeline, ideally)
• Communication records (texts, calls, video calls)
• Statutory declarations from friends and family who can attest to the relationship

Partner-status caveats

The supporting partner must meet specific requirements depending on their own visa status:

• AEWV holders: your partner’s eligibility for a partner of a worker visa may depend on your occupation level (ANZSCO skill level) and income. See our June 2024 ANZSCO 4-5 sponsorship policy update
• NZ citizens and residents: generally more straightforward partnership-visa pathway
• Health and character requirements apply to all applicants (medical certificates and police clearances are part of the application)

Why partnership visas get declined

Weak or insufficient evidence is the most common reason for partnership visa declines or delays. INZ is looking for evidence across multiple categories, and a strong photo album alone isn’t enough; financial entanglement matters.

Practical next step

Begin building partnership evidence early: joint bank accounts, shared tenancy, and joint travel records all take time to accumulate. If your relationship is recent or you haven’t lived together, the evidence challenge is higher and worth structured preparation before lodging.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for a partnership-based temporary visa in New Zealand?

The partner of a New Zealand citizen, resident, or eligible work-visa holder can apply to live and work in NZ. It covers marriages, civil unions, and de facto relationships that are genuine and stable.

What does ‘genuine and stable’ mean to INZ?

INZ assesses duration, shared finances, shared living arrangements, commitment to a shared life, and social recognition. No single factor is enough; they look for evidence across all categories.

What evidence do couples need for a partnership visa?

Typically joint bank statements, shared tenancy agreements, photos across the relationship timeline, communication records, and statutory declarations from friends and family. Financial entanglement matters; a photo album alone won’t carry an application.

Why are partnership visas declined?

Weak or insufficient evidence is the most common reason for declines and delays. INZ wants proof across multiple categories; recent relationships or couples who haven’t lived together face a higher evidence bar.

Does my partner’s visa status affect my eligibility?

Yes. If your partner holds an AEWV, your eligibility can depend on their occupation level (ANZSCO) and income. Partners of NZ citizens and residents generally have a more straightforward pathway. Health and character requirements apply to all applicants.