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Partnership-based Visas (Resident, Work, Visitor)

Three partnership-based visa variants for partners of New Zealand citizens and residents. Visitor and Work visas build cohabitation toward residence; the Resident Visa is the long-term destination. All variants require evidence of a genuine and stable relationship.

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Partnership-Based Temporary Visa — NZ Application Guide

Genuine and stable partnership evidence is the load-bearing element of a partnership-based temporary visa. Required evidence categories, AEWV partner caveats, and why weak evidence is the most common decline reason.

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 partnership-based 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 — a strong photo album alone isn’t enough; financial entanglement matters.

Practical next step

Begin building partnership evidence early — joint bank accounts, shared tenancy, 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.

Last reviewed . Information may have changed since this article was reviewed. For your specific case, talk to a licensed immigration adviser.