The partner Visa New Zealand is the right choice for international students who wish to take their better half to this country. If this is your case, read on and find out what are the requirements to obtain this permit.
Get your pen and paper ready. Below, we provide all the information you need about the New Zealand Partner Visa. Learn who can apply, how long it is valid, and whether you can study or work with it. All set to get started? Here we go!
What is the Partner visa New Zealand?
This is a permit that can be applied for by the partner of a visa holder who resides or works in New Zealand.
This immigration policy of the New Zealand government aims to foster family unity and reunify couples. Above all, it supports transnational relationships, recognizing the importance of life as a couple for the general welfare of its inhabitants. Thus, it has become an essential bridge for couples seeking to build their lives in New Zealand.
Among the main advantages of obtaining this visa are the following:
- Work and educational opportunities: The spouse with the visa can access work and educational opportunities in New Zealand.
- Access to health and social services: This ensures the couple has access to medical care and other essential services in the country.
- Quality of life: This visa allows couples to enjoy New Zealand’s excellent lifestyle and beautiful natural environment.
The first step to applying for a partner visa is that one of the partners must have an approved student visa. At GrowPro we can help you with this! Choose here one of our experiences and fill out the form to receive our advice.
Requirements to apply for a Partner Visa New Zealand
The requirements to apply for a partner visa vary. It depends on nationality and place of residence. However, here are the general criteria that you may be asked to meet:
- To have a valid legal passport.
- Prove a good state of health. Depending on your age, your length of stay in New Zealand, and your previous residence, detailed medical examinations such as chest X-rays may be required.
- Have a clean criminal record certificate.
- Gather evidence that the relationship with your partner is genuine. For example, shared bank accounts, property in both of your names, marriage or common-law marriage certificate, and shared travel airline tickets, among others.
- Both persons must have a round-trip airline ticket or prove to have funds to purchase a return ticket to the country of origin.
- Prove financial solvency. The main applicant must prove 20,000 NZD* annually (1,670 NZD* per month). And also, the accompanying person must prove 4,200 NZD* per year (350 NZD per month).
- The person studying must be enrolled in a vocational training course at level 7 or higher. Yes! An English course is not valid to apply for this visa.
- In case you and your partner have children, you must mention them in your partner Visa New Zealand application!
*Amounts are for reference only and may vary.
Who can apply for a Partner Visa?
Eligibility to obtain a Partner visa New Zealand may vary. Generally speaking, applicants must meet two criteria in particular:
- First, the applicant must be over 18 years of age.
- Second, the couple must have known each other before applying for the visa. And also have lived together for at least 12 months.
Generally, this is not very strict. Couples who have lived together for less time will only need an interview with immigration.
How to prove the veracity of the relationship?
This question is crucial! As mentioned earlier, you must prove that the relationship is genuine. To show it is not a simulation, you can present evidence such as:
- Shared bank account: if you have a joint bank account, request a certificate from your bank to prove you share income and expenses.
- Rental contract or real estate purchase: if you have a rental contract for your residence or proof of purchasing property or a car, present it as a couple’s certificate.
- Correspondence or taxes: to prove your partnership, you can show correspondence, bank statements, or tax bills in both your names.
- Photos: the more they have and the older they are, the better! This way you show that you have been together for a long time.
- Joint tickets: if you bought airline tickets together and you have the ticket voucher, this serves to reaffirm your relationship.
- Marriage or partnership certificate: this is one of the strongest proofs. However, we recommend that you attach more proof!
Letters from relatives: you might need letters from family and friends confirming your relationship as genuine. Ah! You must authenticate these letters.
How much does the Partner Visa New Zealand cost?
The cost of the New Zealand Partner visa varies based on factors like your location during application and how you apply. Therefore, we recommend you visit the New Zealand immigration page to find out the cost according to your case.
However, in general, the visa fee ranges from 200 NZD* to 500 NZD*. Please note that you can pay for this permit by credit or debit card.
*Amounts are for reference only and may vary.
What is the validity of the Partner visa New Zealand?
You can receive the New Zealand Partner visa for up to 24 months and split it into two periods. You can apply for 12 months initially and then renew it for another 12 months. Alternatively, you can apply for the full 24 months at once.
However, the duration also depends on the type of visa held by the applicant’s partner. For example, if the partner has a student visa for one year, the Partner visa New Zealand will also be valid for one year.
Is it possible to study and work with this visa?
The answer is yes! With this permit, the accompanying person or dependent can study and work in New Zealand. That is, you can study for up to 12 weeks and work legally part-time (20 hours per week) for the duration of the visa.
If you’re curious about the academic programs available in New Zealand, rest assured, there’s a wide range to choose from. For instance, some options are:
- General English courses: these are programs that cover all aspects of language learning and are oriented to the development of the four basic skills: speaking, listening, writing, and comprehension.
- Preparation courses for official exams: these are intensive courses that prepare students for internationally recognized exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge Certificates (First, Advanced, and Proficiency).
- Intensive English courses: have a high hourly intensity so that you reach fluency in 2 weeks to 3 months.
- Vocational courses: these are programs equivalent to a technical training course and are highly valued nationally and internationally.
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