New age and evidence requirements for some partnership-based visas

From 25 September 2026, new age and evidence requirements will apply to dedicated partnership-based visa categories.

Both the person applying for the visa and the partner supporting them must be aged 18 or over when the application is made.

Immigration New Zealand will recognise partnership evidence only from when both people were aged 18 or over.

Visas affected by the changes

The changes apply to:

• Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
• Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
• Partner of a Worker Work Visa
• Partner of a Student Visitor Visa
• Partner of a Student Work Visa
• Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa.

They do not apply where a partner is included in a residence application under the Skilled, Business, International, Humanitarian or other non-partnership-based Family streams, or in a general visitor visa application.

What the changes mean for applicants

Couples applying for partnership-based residence must have lived together for at least 12 months. Under the new requirements, this period can begin to count only once both people are aged 18.

In practice, this means an applicant cannot qualify for partnership-based residence until both the applicant and the supporting partner are at least 19.

Temporary partnership visas do not have an explicit 12-month living-together requirement. Applicants must still provide enough acceptable evidence from after both partners turned 18 to show that they are living together in a genuine and stable relationship. This means turning 18 will not usually result in immediate eligibility.

Before applying

Applicants must continue to meet all other requirements for the visa they are applying for.

Some online application forms will not be updated immediately. Applicants and advisers should check the latest requirements on the Immigration New Zealand website before submitting an application.

The changes do not apply to resident visa applications submitted before 25 September 2026, or visas that have already been granted.