If  you want to move to New Zealand to live under our Family Partnership Category you’ll need to apply for a residence class visa. Find out about visas and whether you need one.  

Your application for a residence class visa can include your dependent children.

If you haven’t already checked whether you would qualify for residence, do a quick check of the minimum criteria now.

Steps to apply for a residence class visa 

To help you make sure you have everything you need to apply, please print out our checklist.

Note: Many of our branches provide checklists with local requirements on their branch web pages.

Step one

Complete the Residence Application (INZ 1000) PDF. This form is also available from Immigration New Zealand offices in New Zealand and overseas. 

Your partner will need to complete the Partnership Support Form for Residence (INZ 1178) [216KB].

Step two

Along with your completed (and signed) application form you will need to provide:

Step three

For each person included in your application you will also need to provide:

• two recent passport-size photographs
• a valid passport or certificate of identity
• a completed Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ 1096) PDF less than three months old
• a completed Limited Medical Certificate (INZ 1201) less than three months old. Alternatively you must provide a  General Medical Certificate (INZ 1007) PDF if you:
• do not meet all the requirements under the Partnership Category including living together for 12 months, or
• were eligible for inclusion but were not included in, or were withdrawn from your partner’s residence application (if applicable). 
  

Note: Pregnant women and children under the age of 11 years are not required to submit chest X-ray certificates unless a special report is required. You may not need to provide a new medical certificate and chest X-ray certificate if you have already provided these certificates in the last 36 months. For full details on health requirements, see our leaflet Health Requirements (INZ 1121) PDF.

• a police certificate less than six months old for each applicant aged 17-years and over for each country of citizenship and each country in which they have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
• a full birth certificate.

Step four

If you are overseas, find out where to send your application or
if you are in New Zealand, send or drop off your application to your nearest Immigration New Zealand branch.