Which partnership visa are you considering?
The right starting point depends on your partner’s status and the visa you want. Work and residence routes do not have identical requirements.
Partner of a New Zealander: residence
For eligible partners of New Zealand citizens or residents. INZ requires at least 12 months living together in a genuine and stable relationship, eligible support and the other visa requirements.
Check INZ residence requirementsPartner of a New Zealander: work
A temporary route with its own living-together and support requirements. Do not apply the residence 12-month rule as though it is a universal minimum for every partnership visa.
Check INZ work visa requirementsPartner of a work visa holder
Your partner must hold an eligible visa and be able to support the application. Additional conditions can depend on their work and visa circumstances.
Check INZ worker-partner requirementsEvidence should tell a consistent story.
Start by writing a simple relationship timeline: when you met, when you began living together, where you lived and any periods apart. Use it to organise genuine records rather than trying to make your circumstances fit a template.
For the Partner of a Worker Work Visa, INZ describes evidence such as shared responsibilities and finances, time together and recognition of your relationship by others. What is appropriate depends on your circumstances. A large collection of photos is not a substitute for explaining the living arrangements and facts clearly.
Explain uncertainty early.
If you have lived apart, have few joint documents or have a complicated visa history, mention this in the first enquiry. Give a short factual explanation rather than leaving the issue for the end of the process. Advice can then focus on the questions that actually need resolving.
Do not create, backdate or alter records to fill a gap. A clear account of what happened, supported by genuine evidence where available, is the right starting point for a professional discussion.
Before you contact us.
- Identify your partner’s citizenship or visa status.
- Summarise where and when you have lived together.
- Note your current visas and any upcoming expiry dates.
- Explain whether you are seeking a temporary stay or residence.
- Mention previous applications or any issue you want advice about.
YOUR QUESTIONS
Partnership visas questions.
Do we need 12 months living together for every partnership visa?
No. The Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa requires at least 12 months living together, but temporary partnership visas have their own rules. Check the exact category.
Does my partner’s work visa automatically let me work?
No. Your own visa eligibility and work rights need to be checked. Not every work visa holder can support the same partnership application.
What if our documents are limited?
Describe your actual circumstances and the records you do have. An adviser can discuss the evidence questions; no particular document bundle guarantees approval.
Official sources
Immigration summaries checked against these sources on 15 November 2026. Rules can change. This is general information, not an individual assessment; INZ decides visa applications.