Partnership Based Visas
If you are in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or visa holder, your relationship can get you a New Zealand Partnership visa. It’s a great way to join the New Zealand society and work sphere. There are many visa options that can be used for the same.
Since there are many types of relationships that can exist between people, it becomes vital that there be different visa options honoring the same. This fact is very well understood by Immigration New Zealand. As a result, there are many partnerships based visas which can be applied for.
Definition of Partnership
Partnership can be defined as a relationship between two people of the opposite or same sex provided that the relationship is genuine and stable in the form of:
- a legal marriage.
- a civil union.
- a de facto relationship.
The New Zealand visa holder or the citizen through whom you want to apply for a partnership based visa because of your relationship with them is called your supporting partner. There are some conditions that you and your supporting partner must meet. Both of you must:
- be at least 18 years old. In case the age is 16 or 17 years, consent of parents or guardians is a necessity.
- have met each other before the process of applying for a partnerhip based visa can be initiated.
- not be close relatives.
Partnership Requirements
In order for you to be granted a visa based on your relationship with a New Zealand citizen or visa holder, you must furnish an evidence to prove the fact that you are living together in a genuine and stable relationship.
According to Immigration New Zealand, a partnership is genuine if it has been entered into on a long term and exclusive basis and it is stable if it is likely to endure.
There can be several ways of living together. You and your partner are said to be living together when you share the same home as your partner. However, sharing home doesn’t include the following:
- spending time in each other’s homes while each of you maintain your own home.
- sharing accommodation while on a vacation.
- having home-sharing or flatmate arrangements.
Assessing Partnership
In order to assess whether you meet the requirements to be granted a partnership based visa, the following things are looked by Immigration New Zealand:
- how long you’ve been together
- how long you’ve been living together as a couple
- your living arrangements
- whether you support each other financially
- how you share financial responsibilities
- how committed you are to a life together
- whether you own property together and/or share your property
- any children you have together, including your arrangements for their care
- whether you share common household tasks
- whether other people recognise your relationship
(Source:Â Immigration New Zealand)
Evidence of Partnership
Immigration New Zealand would need concrete evidence in support of your relationship. Furnishing documents from official sources would make your case strong. Some of the example documents that you can provide include:
- marriage or civil union certificates
- birth certificates for any children you share
- cards, letters, emails and social media conversations
- photos together
- evidence that others recognise your relationship
- evidence you make decisions and plans together
- evidence you parent together
- evidence you spend leisure time together
- a joint rental agreement or home loan
- mail addressed to you together at the same place and time
- joint bank accounts
- evidence you own assets together
- joint credit cards or hire purchase agreements
- joint utilities accounts, like power or phone bills
(Source:Â Immigration New Zealand)
Time Spent Living Apart
If you and your partner have been living apart for a while, the immigration department would ask for complete details of separation along with evidence. You would need to list down the reasons you were living apart. Other details like the time period during which you were living apart and whether and how you kept in touch while living apart.
All this information would be used to assess the impact of separation on your partnership.
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
If your partner is a resident or citizen of New Zealand, then, on the basis of your relationship with them, you can become the resident of the country. This visa allows you to live, work and study indefinitely in New Zealand.
Partner of a Student Work Visa
If you are studying in New Zealand at the level 7 or 8 courses as listed in our long term skills shortage list or for level 9 or 10 of New Zealand qualification, this visa allows your partner to come and work in New Zealand. The duration of this visa will be the same as your partner’s study visa.
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
This visa allows you to enter and work in the country on the basis of the relationship that you have with a citizen or resident of New Zealand. If your partner holds a New Zealand visa, you may come to visit him/her using this visa. This visa allows you to stay in the country for a maximum of 2 years.
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
This visa allows you to join your New Zealand based partner in the country and work while they are there. You can stay and work on this visa for 2 years if you have been living together for more than a year or for one year in case you have been living together for less than 12 months. You can also study for 3 months on this visa.
Partner of a Worker Work Visa
This visa allows you to join your work visa holder partner in New Zealand if their work visa has been operational for 6 months or more and they support your application. You can work in New Zealand for the same amount of time as your partner on this visa.
Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
If your partner has an active work visa and is working in New Zealand, you can join him here as a visitor. Your visa duration will be the same as your partner. You can also study for 3 months on this visa.
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
This visa allows you to come to New Zealand for marrying a New Zealand based resident or citizen. You would have 3 months to get married once you arrive here. Your marriage should be in-line with your traditions.
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa
If your partner has a New Zealand study visa, you can join them here by applying for this visa. You can stay with them until their visa is valid. You cannot work while you are here but can study for 3 months.
Partner of Military Visitor Visa
If your partner is in New Zealand on military duty, you would be allowed to join them on this visa. Your visa stay period will be the same as your partner. You won’t be allowed to work but can study for 3 months. Read More.
Partner of Military Work Visa
If your partner is in New Zealand on military duty, you would be allowed to join them on this visa. This visa allows you to work here in the country while your partner is engaged in their duty.