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The Partnership Work Visa and Partnership Residence Visa - Staying Together In New Zealand
If you are in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealander who is a citizen or resident, then you may be eligible for a Partnership Work Visa or a Partnership Residence Visa. These visas allow partners of New Zealanders to live, work and build a life together in New Zealand with their significant other.
If you wish to live together in New Zealand with your NZ partner, then one of these visas could be the right pathway for you to create a life in Aotearoa with your partner.
The Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa – Partner Work Visa
The Partnership Work Visa is designed for those in a committed relationship with an NZ citizen or resident. If you wish to live and work in New Zealand for a temporary period, this could be an excellent choice for you.
Living and working in New Zealand may be the right next step for you if you are interested in experiencing life in New Zealand while maintaining a stable relationship with your partner. A partner work visa is designed to be a temporary option for non-New Zealanders and New Zealand residents or citizens who are in relationships, and who are looking for alternative visa options as opposed to selecting a student visa, visitor visa, alternative work visa or a resident visa. Applicants of this visa must meet the standard visa requirements, such as being in good health and of good character. Additionally, you must also provide evidence of a genuine relationship between you and your NZ partner to INZ when you fill out your visa application and apply for this partnership visa.
Here are a few important notes about applying for the Partnership Work Visa:
- Length Of Stay. The duration of your NZ visa will depend on how long you have been living with your NZ partner.
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- Visa Length Of 2 Years. If you have lived with your partner for over 12 months, then you may stay for 2 years.
- Visa Length Of 1 Year. If you have been living with your partner for less than 12 months, then your initial visa will be for 1 year. However, you may be able to extend it up to a maximum of 24 months.
- Application Cost. You must pay an application fee to apply for this partnership visa. The application fee for this NZ visa starts at NZD $860.
- Processing Time. Around 80% of applications are processed within 10 weeks, but this time can be shorter or longer depending on surrounding circumstances.
Please note that you can only be granted this visa once if you are given a 2-year visa. However, you may be able to apply for residence before your visa expires. Additionally, dependent children cannot be included with this visa, but they may be able to apply for different, more appropriate visas.
If you are granted a Partnership Work Visa, you can:
- Stay In New Zealand. You will be able to stay in New Zealand for 1-2 years with your partner.
- Work. During your stay, you are allowed to work.
- Study. With this visa, regardless of if it is for 1 or 2 years, you can study for up to 3 months.
The Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa - Partner Residence Visa
For those looking for a more permanent living situation, the Partnership Residence Visa is a great step. This visa allows you to live and work in New Zealand indefinitely, making it suitable for committed partners who wish to make New Zealand their long-term home with their partner.
While the above-mentioned partners visa is suitable for temporary stays, the Partnership Residence Visa is a prime choice for a non-New Zealander and a New Zealander in stable relationship who are looking for more permanent options. This immigration option lets a partner of a New Zealander to live permanently in New Zealand. After you travel here and settle in, you are not required to find an employer or job – rather, you can act as any New Zealand citizen or resident would, and choose to live, work or study in NZ with your partner as you please.
What should you know about the Partnership Residence Visa?
- Length Of Stay. This visa allows you to stay indefinitely, providing you with the stability and security of permanent residency.
- Application Cost. You must pay an application fee to apply for this partnership visa. Application fees for the Partnership Residence Visa start from NZD $2,750.
- Processing Time. Around 80% of applications for this visa are processed within 8 months, but this time could be shorter or longer depending on surrounding circumstances.
Please note that if your partner’s New Zealand residency is based on their Australian citizenship, permanent residence, or resident return visa, then you can apply for this visa if your partner currently lives in NZ. If you and your NZ partner have been living together outside of New Zealand for 5 years or more, then you may be eligible for a permanent resident visa right away. For this, your partner must be either overseas when you apply, or they must have returned to New Zealand within the last 3 months.
With a Partnership Residence Visa, you can:
- Live, Work and Study In New Zealand. This visa allows for indefinite residency.
- Include Dependent Children. You can include your dependent children aged 24 and under. Therefore, if your children are young enough, you can move the whole family over. Unlike the Partnership Work Visa, your dependent child will not have to apply through a separate visa. This can simplify the visa application process and further streamline your path to NZ residence.
Selecting The Right New Zealand Partnership Visa for You and Your Partner
Which visa should you choose? The Partnership Work Visa is a good starting point for those who need temporary access to New Zealand while building their relationship, while the Partnership Residence Visa is suited for those in long-term committed relationships who wish to settle down permanently – particularly if you wish to bring your children along. Either way, it is important to fully understand the conditions of each partnership visa before you apply for either.
Regardless of your goals, if you need assistance with your visa, then we at Auckland South Immigration Consultants are here to help you. Please reach out to an experienced immigration adviser on our team today for personalised support. If these visas do not fit your current job, life, or partnership goals, then we can also explore other work visas, student visas or other NZ visas that are available with INZ.