Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa

The Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa is the primary pathway to permanent residency for spouses and partners. Most applicants submit their application online through the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) portal. If you are in a region where online submission is unavailable, you may be required to submit a paper application through a Visa Application Centre (VAC), which is a third-party office that handles document collection.

Step 1: Verify the 12-Month Rule

Before you begin, you must have lived together in a "genuine and stable" relationship for at least 12 months. This is a strict requirement. If you have lived together for less than a year, you should first apply for a Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa to bridge the gap until you reach the 12-month mark.

Step 2: Gather Relationship Evidence

You must provide "objective" proof of your life together. INZ requires evidence across four categories:

• Shared Residence: A joint lease agreement, utility bills in both names, or separate mail sent to the same address.
• Financial Interdependence: Joint bank account statements showing shared spending, joint assets (like a car), or shared loans/mortgages.
• Social Recognition: Photos of you together with friends or family, joint invitations to events, and letters of support from family members.
• Official Documents: Your marriage or civil union certificate (if applicable). Note: Being married does not waive the 12-month cohabitation rule.

Step 3: Prepare Sponsor Documents

Your partner must complete the Form for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based Applications (INZ 1146). They must also provide proof of their New Zealand citizenship or resident-class visa.

Step 4: Health and Character Checks

• Medical: You will likely need a chest X-ray and a medical examination. These must be performed by an INZ-approved panel physician.
• Police Certificates: You must provide police clearances from your country of citizenship and any country where you have lived for 5 years or more since turning 17.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Create an account on the INZ website, upload your scanned documents, and pay the application fee. If you are required to use a VAC, you will need to send your physical passport to their office for verification.

Step 6: Verification and Interview

An immigration officer will review your file. They may contact you or your partner for a phone interview to verify the details of your relationship. In rare cases, they may conduct a home visit.

The following fees are based on the March 2026 rate schedule. Costs may vary slightly depending on the country from which you are applying.

Item	Cost
Application Fee & Immigration Levy	NZD $5,360
VAC Service Fee (if applicable)	Varies by location
International Courier Fee	Varies

Total Estimated Cost: NZD $5,360+

Note: This total does not include the cost of medical examinations (typically $300–$700), police certificates, or certified English translations for non-English documents.

Processing times can vary based on the complexity of your relationship history and the volume of applications at the time of submission.

• Standard Processing: 80% of applications are completed within 7.5 months.
• Median Wait Time: Many applicants receive a decision within 5 to 6 months.
• Document Validity: Most police certificates and medical reports are valid for 36 months from the date they were issued, provided they were submitted to INZ within the first 3 months of being issued.

Once approved, your resident visa will typically include travel conditions allowing you to re-enter New Zealand for 2 years. To travel freely after that period without losing your residency, you must apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.