Eligibility quiz
Do you have a spouse or partner who lives in New Zealand and has a residence visa?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in New Zealand for life
You can live in New Zealand indefinitely, as long as you meet any conditions on your visa.
Study in New Zealand
You can study in New Zealand without an immigration restriction.
Work in New Zealand
You can work for any employer and in any occupation.
Travel and return
A resident visa lets you leave and return while its travel conditions are valid.
A permanent resident visa lets you return at any time, without renewing travel conditions.
Support family applications
You can generally support a qualifying partner's application to live in New Zealand.
You can also support a dependent child's application; children are generally single and under 25, with extra rules for older children.
Each family member needs their own visa, and approval is not automatic.
Vote in elections
You can vote in elections if you meet the residence and other eligibility rules and are enrolled.
Use public healthcare
You are eligible for publicly funded healthcare and disability services.
These include relevant doctor, hospital, accident, maternity, prescription and disability services.
Individual services can have medical, funding or enrolment rules.
Get government support
You may qualify for government support, including Jobseeker Support, Student Allowance, Working for Families or NZ Superannuation.
Each payment has its own rules, including residence, income or age requirements, and some require time lived in New Zealand.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your online application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Create or sign in to your Immigration Online or RealMe account, answer the questions, add any eligible dependent children and upload your photo and documents. Ask your partner to complete and sign the Partnership Support Form for Residence, INZ 1178, for your application.
Start your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I start an online Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa application in New Zealand?”
Submit your application
Review your application, pay the fee and immigration levy online by an accepted card, and submit it. You can also apply on paper at the office responsible for where you live.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit and pay for an online Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa application in New Zealand?”
Wait for the decision
Use your online account to follow your application and respond if Immigration New Zealand asks for more information.
Follow your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the progress of my Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa application in New Zealand?”
Enter New Zealand
If you are outside New Zealand when your visa is granted, enter before the first-entry travel condition on your visa expires. You can then live in New Zealand as a resident.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “When must I enter New Zealand after receiving a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa?”
Apply for permanent residence
After holding residence for at least two years, you may apply for a Permanent Resident Visa if you meet its requirements. If approved, you can stay permanently in New Zealand.
Apply for permanent residenceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a Permanent Resident Visa in New Zealand after a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Proof of your relationship
Provide evidence that you and your partner have lived together in a genuine, stable relationship for at least 12 months. Use records dated throughout that time, such as a joint tenancy agreement, ownership records, bills or letters showing your shared address. Also provide evidence that fits your relationship, such as your marriage or civil-union certificate, shared children's birth certificates, joint finances, messages, photographs, plans or letters from people who know you; if you spent time apart, show the dates, reasons and how you kept in touch.
Partner's residence record
Provide evidence that your partner holds a New Zealand residence visa. Use their New Zealand residence visa or, if their New Zealand residence is based on an accepted passport or residence visa from another country, provide that document instead.
Partner's proof of residence *
Provide evidence that your partner's main established home is in New Zealand. This can include mortgage documents or other official records showing where they live.
* Only if Immigration New Zealand needs evidence of your partner's established residence.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Visa conditions
You must follow any conditions on your visa; breaking them can affect your immigration status or ability to get permanent residence.
Conditions can be added or changed, but a permanent resident visa has no visa conditions.
Residence can be lost
If you are outside New Zealand after your resident visa's travel expiry date, you cannot return on that visa.
Your visa can also be cancelled, or you can be deported for reasons including qualifying criminal convictions or fraud.
A permanent resident visa has no travel expiry date.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
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English Facebook group for people living in New Zealand interested in New Zealander visas
Join on FacebookNew Zealand Visas - Study, Work, Partnership Etc.
English Facebook group for people living in New Zealand interested in New Zealander visas
Join on FacebookFree Immigration Advise & Help Center for NZ Work, Residence & Partner Visa
Facebook group for people living in New Zealand interested in New Zealander visas (English, Malayalam, & Tamil)
Join on FacebookConsultation
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