New Zealand has visas for partners of New Zealand citizens and residents, and for partners of people on work or student visas. Married, civil union and de facto couples are treated the same. Which visa fits depends on two things:
- Who your partner is: a New Zealander or resident, a worker, or a student.
- How long you've lived together: under 12 months, or 12 months or more.
In every case INZ needs to see that you live together in a genuine and stable relationship, that you're both 18 or over, and that your partner supports your application.
Checked on immigration.govt.nz on 28 October 2026.
Choose your visa
| Your partner is… | You've lived together | Visa | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| A NZ citizen or resident | Any length (living together now) | Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa | NZ$1,630 |
| A NZ citizen or resident | 12 months or more | Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa | NZ$5,360 |
| A NZ citizen or resident | You want to visit, not work | Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa | See INZ |
| On an eligible work visa, including some AEWVs | Living together now | Partner of a Worker Work Visa | NZ$1,630 |
| A student in an eligible level 7 to 10 qualification | Living together now | Partner of a Student Work Visa | NZ$1,630 |
| A NZ citizen or resident, and you're coming to marry in a culturally arranged marriage | Not yet | Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa | See INZ |
The usual path for partners of New Zealanders: a partner work visa first, then the partner resident visa once you've lived together for 12 months.
Who can support you
New Zealand citizens and residents can support only one partner for residence in any 5-year period, and two in total. That includes having been included as a partner in their own residence application, or been included in a partner's. They also can't be liable for deportation. If your partner can't support residence now but will within 12 months, they can still support a work or visitor visa.
If your partner holds residence because they're an Australian citizen or permanent resident, they must be living in New Zealand.
Workers can support you only on an eligible work visa. For AEWV holders it depends on the job's skill level and pay: at least NZ$28 an hour at skill levels 1 to 3, and higher thresholds at levels 4 and 5. See partner work visas.
A supporting partner with any conviction for domestic violence or sexual offences doesn't meet INZ's character requirements; INZ can consider a waiver in other cases.
Where an adviser helps: the choice between a work visa now and residence later, and the timing of each, affects how long you wait and how much you pay. If your partner has supported someone before, has a conviction, or holds a visa near a threshold, a licensed adviser can tell you which application has the best chance and when to make it.
Evidence
INZ looks for two things: that you live together (the same address over time, shown by tenancy agreements, bills and mail) and that the relationship is genuine and stable (shared finances, time together, people who know you as a couple). For the partner resident visa, the living-together evidence must cover the 12 months before you apply. See relationship evidence for a NZ partnership visa.
Support forms
- Temporary visas: INZ 1146, signed by your partner.
- Residence: INZ 1178, the Partnership Support Form for Residence.
Health and character
- Residence: chest X-ray and medical examination, and police certificates for you and your New Zealand partner. See police certificates and immigration medicals.
- Work and visitor visas: depends on how long you'll stay.
Children
Dependent children can be included in a resident visa application. For temporary partner visas, children apply for their own visitor or student visas based on their relationship to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to be married for a partnership visa?
No. Married, civil union and de facto couples all qualify. What matters is that you live together in a genuine and stable relationship.
How long do we need to live together for NZ residence?
12 months, after you both turned 18. For a partner work visa, you only need to be living together when you apply.
How much do partnership visas cost?
Partner work visas cost NZ$1,630. The partner resident visa costs NZ$5,360.
My partner sponsored their ex. Can they support me?
Not for residence if that was a successful resident application in the last 5 years, or if they've already been the partner in two.
Can I apply for a partner visa from inside New Zealand?
Yes. If your current visa expires while you wait, you may get an interim visa, but with visitor conditions until a work visa is granted.
Getting help
Plenty of couples apply on their own. Bring in a licensed immigration adviser when your living-together history has gaps, your partner has supported someone before or has a conviction, you're still married to someone else, or you've been declined before. If INZ sends a potentially prejudicial information letter or declines, talk to an adviser or immigration lawyer quickly.
Tell us your situation and we'll connect you with a licensed adviser or immigration lawyer. It's free to ask.
Sources: Immigration New Zealand, "Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa", "Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa", "Partner of a Worker Work Visa", "Partner of a Student Work Visa" and "Partnership and how to prove it" (immigration.govt.nz), read 28 October 2026.