FAQs: Joining your partner who’s on a New Zealand Work visa

You have come to the right place if you have unanswered questions about how to join your partner in New Zealand if he or she has a work visa.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve done some research or none, you’ll find the answers you’re looking for right here:

• What visa do I apply for?
• How does INZ qualify a ‘partner’?
• How do we prove our partnership is ‘genuine’?
• Is there any other qualifying criteria?
• When do I make my visa application?
• Does this visa allow me to work?
• Can I add our dependent children to my visa application?

Let’s begin at the start…

1. What visa do I apply for?

If your partner has been granted a work visa or is in the process of applying for a work visa, you’ll apply for a partner visa based on their visa status.

2. How does INZ qualify a ‘partner’?

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) define a partnership as:

• Two people (either same sex or opposite sex),
• Who live together in a genuine and stable relationship in any of the following:
  • Legal marriage.
  • Civil union.
  • De facto relationship.

Does your relationship tick the boxes? Congratulations! You’ve passed the first test.

3. How do we prove our partnership is ‘genuine’?

INZ will ask a number of questions to establish the nature of your partnership. These questions include:

• How long have you been together?
• How long have you been living together as a couple?
• Do you support each other financially?
• How do you share financial responsibilities?
• Do you share a property or own a property together?
• Do you have children?
• Do other people recognise your relationship?

The more proof you can provide in answer to these questions, the stronger your case will be.

4. Is there any other qualifying criteria?

Yes, there is. The most important is that you and your partner:

• Must be 18 years or older. If you are 16 or 17 years old, consent is required from parents or guardians.
• Must have met each other before applying for a visa based on your partnership.
• Cannot be close relatives.

You must also know that your partner won’t be eligible to support your visa, or a subsequent residence application, if they have supported:

• More than one previous residency application.
• A successful residence application for a previous partner in the last 5 years.
• A previous partner in a successful residence application in the last 5 years.
• Or have been included as a partner in a successful residence application the last 5 years.

5. When do I make my visa application?

The partner of a New Zealander work holder visa application can be made at the same time as the work visa application.

In fact, the norm is to do it this way so that both partners can travel to New Zealand together.

6. Will I be allowed to work?

Yes, you can work in New Zealand on this visa. The option to work is also an open one as your visa won’t be specific to a single employer.

7. Can I add our dependent children to my visa application?

No, dependents cannot be included. However, dependents may make an application for a visa in their own right. As an example, dependent children of school-going age can apply for a dependent child student visa.

Want to apply? Then you should contact us

Intergate Emigration has helped many couples successfully migrate to New Zealand.

Let us do the same for you. You can speak to our licensed advisor by booking a consultation call.

Our advisor will assess you against all the requirements and help with your application.