Eligibility quiz
Do you have a partner who is a New Zealand citizen?
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 from outside New ZealandApplying from outside New Zealand
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents required for your online application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Start the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa application and create or sign in to your RealMe account when asked. Fill in your details, identify your supporting partner, add any eligible dependent children and upload the requested documents.
Start your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I start a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa application online with Immigration New Zealand?”
Submit your application
Pay the fee using the payment method offered in the online application, then submit it to Immigration New Zealand. You can also apply using a paper application.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay for and submit a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa application online with Immigration New Zealand?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for Immigration New Zealand to decide your application. Send any extra documents or information it asks for, and attend an interview if requested.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I submit a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa application to Immigration New Zealand?”
Travel to New Zealand
Once your visa is approved, if you travel to New Zealand on it, travel within the permitted travel period. Follow the conditions recorded on your visa.
Find travel conditionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I use my Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa to travel to New Zealand and follow its conditions?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Partner's citizenship record
Provide evidence that your partner is a New Zealand citizen, such as their New Zealand passport or citizenship certificate. For a paper application, provide the original or a certified copy; for an online application, upload a scan.
Birth certificates *
Provide your child's birth certificate to show their relationship to you or your partner. For a paper application, provide the original or a certified copy; for an online application, upload a scan.
* Only if you include a dependent child or use your child's birth certificate as relationship evidence.
May need translationMarriage certificates *
Provide your marriage or civil-union certificate as evidence of your relationship. For a paper application, provide the original or a certified copy; for an online application, upload a scan.
* Only if you are married or in a civil union.
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
Fiancee & Spouse Visas (Enhance Visa) 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇦🇺🇨🇦
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
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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