2017-May 19: People intending to marry New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders in New Zealand

Visa Pak 310: Advice for staff on how applications based on relationships to New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders are assessed and guidelines that should be followed.

Visa Paks

19 May 2017

People intending to marry New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders in New Zealand

Despite a lot of guidance being provided previously on assessing temporary visa applications based on partnership, or intended partnership (marriage) with a New Zealand citizen, or residence class visa holder (see below) Operations Support continues to get complaints from immigration advocates. Many complaints arise through the use of terms, and application of requirements, that are only relevant to couples already in a partnership rather than an intended partnership by marriage. There are also complaints as to how bona fides are assessed. This is disappointing given the guidance already provided on this.

Previous Guidance
Below is a list of the relevant advice to staff. The guidance contained in them is publically available on the Immigration New Zealand website here: Policy and Process advice for staff

  • Processing culturally arranged marriage applications - Issue 202 - 13 March 2015
  • Partnership based temporary visa applications with minimal evidence - Issue 214 - 5 June 2015
  • Presentation on temporary entry partnership options - Issue 233 - 16 October 2015
  • Entry to New Zealand for the purpose of culturally arranged marriage - V3.35 - Issue 240 - 11 December 2015
  • Partnership Category Guide - Issue 262 - 03 June 2016