Partnership
Live and work in New Zealand with your partner. These applications turn on relationship evidence, and we help you present yours clearly.
Partnership
Partnership-based work visas let the partner of a New Zealander, resident or eligible visa holder live and work here. They succeed on evidence of a genuine and stable relationship, presented clearly. This is where careful documentation matters most, and where we work particularly closely with you.
How we help
- An honest view of the strength of your evidence before you apply
- A tailored evidence plan for your relationship history
- Preparation of a clear, well-organised application
- Responses to any concerns Immigration New Zealand raises
Typically involved
- Evidence you live together, or why not yet
- Financial interdependence and shared commitments
- Your partner's status in New Zealand
- Photographs, communication and support letters
Requirements at a glance
Key criteria
- Have a New Zealand citizen or resident partner who is eligible to support the application, and have the application supported by that partner
- Be living with the partner in a genuine and stable relationship; for the Resident Visa, living together for at least 12 months is required
- Supporting partner must not have acted as a partner in a successful resident visa application within the past 5 years, or in more than 1 successful resident visa application; must not be liable for deportation (or have deportation liability suspended); for residence, must not have convictions for violent or sexual offences
- Applicant and supporting partner must be aged 18+ (or 16-17 with parental/guardian consent), must have met each other before applying, and must not be close relatives
- Be in good health, medical examination and/or chest X-ray as applicable (X-ray required on the work visa if staying over 6 months and from a higher-TB-risk country); results must be less than 3 months old when INZ receives them
- Be of good character, police certificates required (work visa: if aged 17+ with 24+ months total time in NZ); the supporting partner may also need to show good character
Evidence commonly needed
- Proof of living together at a shared address: joint ownership of or home loan for residential property, joint rental agreement or rental receipts, joint utility accounts (power/phone), joint or individual mail sent to the shared address
- Proof the relationship is genuine and stable: marriage or civil union certificate, birth certificates of shared children, joint bank accounts used frequently, joint ownership of assets, joint credit cards or hire purchase agreements, mutually agreed financial arrangements
- Communication and social recognition: cards, letters or emails sent to the couple, chat records between partners, social media posts or photos together, letters of support recognising the partnership
- Health documents: medical examination and/or chest X-ray certificates (less than 3 months old when received)
- Character documents: police certificates for the applicant (and potentially the supporting partner)
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
Immigration New Zealand’s published settings as at July 2026 for partners of New Zealand citizens and residents, summarised for orientation only. Partners of work or student visa holders have separate criteria we can assess with you at consultation. Settings and fees change: always check the official Partnership-based visas page, or confirm the current position at your consultation.
Please note: visa categories and settings change, sometimes at short notice. Information published online, including on this site, is general information only, not immigration advice. Your consultation is where we assess your individual circumstances against the current rules.
Start with a conversation, not a commitment
Tell Sakshi which pathway you’re considering and where your plans currently stand. Your first phone consultation is free, with the practice behind 7,000+ successful visa outcomes since 2018.