New ZealandFamily

New Zealand partner visas for partners of New Zealanders

Partner of a New Zealander Work, Visitor and Resident Visas

In short

Partners of New Zealand citizens or residents who live together in a genuine and stable relationship can get a Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa (from NZD 1,630, up to 3 years) or Visitor Visa, and after living together for at least 12 months a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa (from NZD 5,360). Married and unmarried couples, including same-sex couples, are treated alike.

Apply on Immigration New Zealand – Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Work visa up to 3 years (1 year if living together under 12 months); resident visa indefinitely
Validity
Multiple entry
Fee
NZ$1,630Work visa 'from' price; Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa from NZD 5,360; Visitor Visa from NZD 341.
Processing time
Work visa: 80% within 6.5 weeks; resident visa: 80% within 7 months
Work
Work visa: yes, any work; resident visa: unrestricted
Family
Children cannot be added to the work visa but can apply on their own; the resident visa can include dependent children aged 24 or younger
Path to permanent residence
Permanent residence after holding the resident visa for at least 2 years in a row
Where to apply
Online; temporary family visas are moving to enhanced Immigration Online from 16 November 2026

Relationship requirements

Your partner must be a New Zealand citizen or resident and support your application, and you must be living together in a genuine and stable relationship. For the resident visa you must have lived together for at least 12 months. If your partner's New Zealand residence comes through an Australian passport, Australian residence or a resident return visa, they must live in New Zealand.

For the work visa, if you have lived together for less than 12 months the visa is for 1 year and you can apply for further visas up to 3 years in total; with 12 months or more it can be granted for up to 3 years. A partner who cannot support you for residence yet, but will within 12 months, can still support a work or visitor visa.

Proving the partnership

Provide evidence that you live together, such as a shared lease or mortgage, joint bills and bank accounts, and evidence of the relationship over time. For the resident visa INZ offers a partnership timeline and evidence checklist that you can complete and attach. A marriage certificate helps, but living together is the key test.

Required documents

Identity

  • Passports of both partners

Family

  • Evidence of the New Zealand partner's citizenship or residence and their support form
  • Evidence of living together: shared lease, joint bills, bank accounts, mail at the same address

Other

  • Police certificates and medical certificates as required, with translations

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Family

  • Marriage certificate and partnership timeline and evidence checklist

Applying

Both partners take part: your New Zealand partner supports the application and provides evidence of their status. Apply online, upload relationship evidence, identity documents, police and medical certificates as required, and pay the fee. From 16 November 2026 these family temporary visa applications can be lodged in INZ's enhanced Immigration Online system.

  1. Decide between the work, visitor or resident visa depending on how long you have lived together.
  2. Collect evidence of living together and of your partner's status.
  3. Your partner completes their support for the application.
  4. Apply online and pay the fee.
  5. Provide medicals and police certificates if asked.
  6. After 12 months of living together, apply for the resident visa if you started on a work visa.

Rights on each visa

The work visa lets you join your partner, work in New Zealand, study up to 3 months and travel in and out. The resident visa lets you live, work and study indefinitely and include dependent children aged 24 or younger. After holding it for at least 2 years in a row you can apply for permanent residence. If your partner is a citizen and you have lived together overseas for at least 5 years, INZ may grant a Permanent Resident Visa directly.

Frequently asked questions

Do we need to be married?

No. INZ looks for a genuine and stable relationship and living together; for residence, at least 12 months together.

How long does the partner resident visa take?

80% of applications were decided within 7 months at the time of checking.

Can I work while waiting for residence?

Yes, on a Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa.

When can I get permanent residence?

After holding the resident visa for at least 2 years in a row.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for New Zealand

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: Multiple entry: 6 months in any 12; single entry: up to 9 months in 18
  • Transit visa Maximum stay: Up to 24 hours, inside the Auckland airport transit area
  • Medical treatment visa Maximum stay: Up to 6 months; you are not asked to leave until it is safe to travel

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 3 months in any 1 year
  • Investor visa Maximum stay: Up to 4 years (12-month establishment stage, then operating stage); one renewal of up to 2 years

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: Up to 4 years, linked to the course

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: Up to 3 years: 3 years for master’s or doctoral study of 30+ weeks; otherwise equal to the study period
  • Skilled worker visa Maximum stay: Up to 5 years in total (3 years for skill level 4 or 5 jobs), then time outside New Zealand
  • Working holiday visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months

Family

Residence

Online travel permits

Protection

New Zealand visa guide