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Alex Lovell

Your Guide to the NZ Partnership Visa Application

Updated: Sep 8, 2023

New Zealanders are adventurous types on the whole, and it’s inevitable that so much time spent overseas results in relationships being formed with people of other nationalities. As immigration lawyers (and believers in love), we have helped myriad couples seeking partnership visas for a non-Kiwi partner—and in many cases, they both reside offshore but want to come back to New Zealand to live.


If you, a New Zealander, want to live in Aotearoa with your foreign partner, read on! We understand that the process is often a big unknown, particularly for those who haven’t been living in the country for a while. Applying from overseas is far from uncommon, but the challenge can feel bigger when you’re physically far away.


That’s why we’ve put together some helpful tips to prepare you for the process of getting a New Zealand partnership visa, no matter where in the world you are.


What’s required for a NZ Partnership Visa application?

From the supporting partner

First things first! For a successful outcome, the NZ partner must be eligible to support the application. This means:

  • They are a NZ citizen or resident.

  • They are able to support the applicant financially.

  • They do not have any convictions for anything related to domestic violence or sexual crimes.

  • They have not supported more than one other partner application, and none in the last five years.

  • They are at least 18 years of age.

While Australians who have NZ residency based on their Australian citizenship can sponsor partnership visa applicants, they must live in the country to be eligible.

From the applicant

From the relationship

NZ partnership visa FAQs

Do we have to be married?

No, this visa is available to those in a legal marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship.

Do we have to be living in New Zealand?

What evidence should we gather?

Do we need paper copies of evidence?

 
Thoughts from the immigration experts

As immigration lawyers who have been there and done that many times over when it comes to partnership visa applications, we have some thoughts about navigating the process.


Perhaps the most important thing to note is that NZ immigration services are not as unprejudiced as Cupid can be. While they do not supply a list of “high-risk” countries, we are very well aware that it exists and that partners of certain nationalities will be more scrutinised than others. If the applicant comes from one of these countries, you will have a harder time.


We also recommend contacting an experienced lawyer towards the beginning of your journey. Getting good advice from the start can make a big difference and help you to avoid potholes along the way. Feel free to get in touch with us to discuss your case, and we wish you the very best!



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