Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
This visa allows you to work in New Zealand if you have a partner who is a New Zealand citizen or has a resident visa.
Apply online-
Length of stay
Up to
3 years
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Cost
From
NZD $1630
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Processing time
80% within
8 weeks
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Residency option
Can lead to a residence visa
Yes
To apply you must:
- have the support of a
who is a New Zealand citizen or resident - be living with your partner in a
- have enough money to pay your living expenses or have an acceptable sponsor
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
This visa lets you:
- join your partner while they are in New Zealand
- work in New Zealand
- study for up to 3 months
- travel in and out of New Zealand.
You cannot include your dependent children in your visa application, but they can apply for visas based on their relationship to you.
How long you can stay
If you have lived with your partner for less than 12 months, your visa will be for 1 year and you can apply for additional visas to stay up to 3 years in total.
If you have lived with your partner for 12 months or more, your visa will be for up to 3 years.
Who can apply
To apply for this visa, you must:
- have a New Zealand citizen or resident partner who is eligible to support your application
- be living with your partner in a
- be in good health
- be of good character
- have genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand
- have enough money to pay your living expenses, or have an acceptable sponsor.
Eligible supporting partner
Your partner must be eligible to support your application.
Your partner must:
- support your visa application, and
- be eligible to support a partnership-based resident visa application within 12 months.
To be eligible to support a partnership-based resident visa application, your partner must not:
- have supported a successful resident visa application for more than 1 previous partner
- have supported a successful resident visa application for a previous partner within the last 5 years
- have included a previous partner in their own successful residence application, within the last 5 years
- have themselves been included as a partner in a successful residence application, within the last 5 years
- be liable for deportation, or have their deportation liability suspended.
Your partner must complete a Form for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based Temporary Entry.
Note
New Zealand citizens and residents can support only 1 partner for residence in a 5-year period, and support only 2 partners for residence in total.
If your partner cannot support you for residence now, but will be able to within 12 months, they can still support your work or visitor visa now.
Your supporting partner's immigration status
Your partner must be a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Your partner must provide an original or
- New Zealand passport
- New Zealand birth certificate
- certificate of New Zealand citizenship, or
- New Zealand residence visa.
If your partner has New Zealand residence because they are an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident, they can provide their:
- Australian passport
- Australian Permanent Resident Visa, or
- Australian Resident Return Visa.
Your supporting partner's character
Your partner must meet our good character requirements for supporting partners or be given a
We may ask your partner to provide police certificates as proof of their good character.
Note
Your partner does not need to provide a New Zealand police certificate, as we will get one directly from the authorities.
Your partner will not meet our character requirements if they have any convictions for
If your partner does not meet our character requirements, we will consider if they are eligible for a character waiver.
Relationship with your supporting partner
You must provide evidence that you and your partner are living together in a
Your evidence should show:
- how long you have been together in a relationship
- how long you have been living together
- you share finances and other responsibilities
- you spend time together, for example photos together, emails and social media conversations between you
- other people recognise your relationship
- anything else you think shows you and your partner are living together in a genuine and stable relationship.
Your partner's plans
You and your partner must be planning to live in New Zealand for the same period of time.
We will ask about your partner's plans, when you complete your application.
Health
You must be in good health. We may ask you to have a chest X-ray, a medical examination or both as proof of your health.
If you are staying less than:
- 6 months, you do not normally need a chest X-ray
- 12 months, you do not normally need a medical certificate.
When you apply, you must answer questions about your health. This helps to decide if you need to provide evidence of a chest X-ray or medical examination. Even if you do not need these when you apply, we may ask for them when we process your application.
Check the situations where we may ask you to have a chest X-ray or medical examination.
Note
Results of a chest X-ray or medical examination must be less than 3 months old when we receive them.
If staying for more than 6 months
If you will be staying in New Zealand for more than 6 months, you must have a chest X-ray if you:
- are a citizen of a country that does not have a low incidence of tuberculosis (TB), or
- have spent more than 3 months in the last 5 years in a country that does not have a low incidence of TB.
You must provide a new chest X-ray certificate, even if you have provided one to us previously, if you:
- have spent 6 months in a row in a country that does not have a low incidence of TB since the date of your last X-ray certificate, and
- are now coming to New Zealand for more than 6 months — if you are in New Zealand this includes any time you have already spent here.
Character
You must be of good character.
You may need to provide police certificates as proof of your good character.
If you have a criminal conviction, or are a security risk to New Zealand, we may not issue you a visa.
You must provide police certificates that are less than 6 months old when you apply, if:
- you are aged 17 or older, and
- your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer — this includes time you spent in New Zealand in the past on other visas.
Police certificates must be from:
- countries you are a citizen of, and
- countries you have spent more than 5 years in since you turned 17.
You do not need to provide police certificates if you provided them with an earlier visa application and they were issued in the last 24 months.
If we ask for a new police certificate when processing your application, you will need to send us a new one.
If you provide a police certificate that is not in English, you must provide an
Genuine intentions
You must have genuine intentions for coming to New Zealand.
When we decide if your intentions are genuine, we will consider all the information that:
- you provide to support your application
- we have about your personal circumstances
- you have previously given to us.
Enough money to live on
You must have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand or have an acceptable sponsor.
You must provide evidence of 1 of the following:
- a salary that supports you for the length of your stay
- that you have enough funds to support you for the length of your stay
- that your employer can support you for the length of your stay
- a Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry, completed by an acceptable sponsor.
If you are paying for yourself
Evidence can include:
- bank statements or credit card statements
- bank drafts or traveller's cheques.
If you have a sponsor
Your sponsor is responsible for you while you are in New Zealand — they can be an organisation or an individual.
Sponsorship process for a visa
Your sponsor must complete a Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry.
Your sponsor can provide supporting documents including:
- recent bank statements
- pay slips
- their employment agreement
- ownership papers for your accommodation or receipts for rent payments.
Paying for health care
You or your sponsor will need to pay for any health care or medical assistance you may need in New Zealand.
We recommend you have full medical insurance for your stay.
If you are pregnant, there are additional requirements.
Documents you need
When you apply
When you apply, you will need to provide:
- a copy of your passport or
— if you apply on paper, you can provide a but it can prevent delays if you provide the original - 1 acceptable photo if you apply online, or 2 photos if you apply on paper
- evidence of a chest X-ray, if required
- evidence of a medical examination, if required
- police certificates, if required
- proof you have enough money to live on for your stay in New Zealand
- documents to show your relationship with your partner
- a copy of the completed Form for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based Temporary Entry Applications, completed by your partner
- a copy of the completed Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry, if you have a sponsor
- translated versions of your police and medical certificates if they are not in English.
Your passport or certificate of identity must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand.
Alert
You may not be allowed to check in to your flight if your passport is close to expiring. Check that it will not expire while you are in New Zealand or close to when you plan to leave New Zealand.
- a passport from Hong Kong
- a Hong Kong document of identity
- a Hong Kong British National Overseas passport (HKBNO)
- a passport from Macao.
You must also provide a completed supplementary form giving more details of your background and intentions.
You may also provide your Hukou — household registration book as an additional form of identity.
If you are applying within China, Hong Kong or Macao, you must also provide a completed supplementary form if you are applying with:
You must also provide a copy of your identity card.
After you apply
After you apply, we may contact you and ask for:
- evidence of a medical examination or chest X-ray
- police certificates as proof of your good character.
When you arrive
When you arrive, you may be asked for proof you have enough money to live on for your stay in New Zealand.
How to apply online
Follow these steps to complete your application online.
Note
To help prevent delays with processing, make sure your application contains all the required documents.
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1
Step 1: Gather your documents
The section 'Who can apply' explains the requirements for this visa and what you will need as proof.
Our guide to applying can also help you.
Get documents translated
For your application you must provide:
- certified English translations of police and medical certificates that are not in English
- scanned copies of the original documents.
Note
If your other evidence is not in English, you can provide a translated copy to help prevent delays with processing.
Documents must be translated by someone who meets our requirements for providing English translations.
Organise proof of identity, citizenship and age
If you need a new passport, allow yourself enough time to get it.
When you apply, make sure you enter your identity details exactly as they appear on your passport or certificate of identity.
Alert
If there are any mistakes in your identity details, your application may be delayed. We may also decline your application or refuse you entry to New Zealand.
Make sure your photos are acceptable for a New Zealand visa.
Book medical appointments, if required
If you have determined you need a chest X-ray or medical examination, you will need to book your appointment.
To complete your application, you will need to provide the:
-
reference code from the clinic submitting your health information - name of the clinic submitting your health information, if there is no eMedical reference code, or
- medical certificate, chest X-ray certificate, or both if the clinic gave these to you.
Note
Results of a chest X-ray or medical examination must be less than 3 months old when we receive them. Allow yourself enough time to get these.
Apply for police certificates, if required
Check what you will need to include for this visa.
If you have determined you need police certificates, you will need to provide them with your application.
Use the tool to find out how to get police certificates from different countries.
Note
Your police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you submit your application. Allow yourself enough time to get these certificates.
Organise proof you have enough money to live on
Get recent bank or credit card statements, proof of your salary or that your employer can support you for the length of your stay
If you have a sponsor, get a copy of their completed Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry.
Organise proof of your relationship with your partner
Collect information to show your relationship with your partner and proof of their identity.
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Step 2: Submit your application and pay the fee
To apply online, log in to your account, or set up an account if you do not have one already.
You can then fill in your application, upload your documents and pay the applicable fees.
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for fees.
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Step 3: Wait for our decision
We will let you know if we need more information to process your application.
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for timeframes.
How long it takes to process an application
Note
If you are already in New Zealand, you must have a valid visa. If your current temporary visa is going to expire while you are waiting for our decision, we will normally issue you an Interim Visa to let you stay in New Zealand lawfully.
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Step 4: Check your application status
Log in to your account to check the status of your application.
Checking your visa application status
We will email you when we make a decision.
If we approve your application, we will give you an eVisa and send you a copy.
Check the 'While you are in New Zealand' section to find out what you can and cannot do when you come to New Zealand.
How to apply on paper
Follow these steps to complete your application on paper.
Note
To help prevent delays with processing, make sure your application contains all the required documents.
-
1
Step 1: Gather your documents
The section 'Who can apply' explains the requirements for this visa and what you will need as proof.
Our guide to applying can also help you.
Get documents translated
For your application you must provide:
- certified English translations of police and medical certificates that are not in English
- scanned copies of the original documents.
Note
If your other evidence is not in English, you can provide a translated copy to help prevent delays with processing.
Documents must be translated by someone who meets our requirements for providing English translations.
Organise proof of identity, citizenship and age
If you need a new passport, allow yourself enough time to get it.
When you apply, make sure you enter your identity details exactly as they appear on your passport or certificate of identity.
Alert
If there are any mistakes in your identity details, your application may be delayed. We may also decline your application or refuse you entry to New Zealand.
Make sure your photos are acceptable for a New Zealand visa.
Book medical appointments, if required
If you have determined you need a chest X-ray or medical examination, you will need to book your appointment.
To complete your application, you will need to provide the:
-
reference code from the clinic submitting your health information - name of the clinic submitting your health information, if there is no eMedical reference code, or
- medical certificate, chest X-ray certificate, or both if the clinic gave these to you.
Note
Results of a chest X-ray or medical examination must be less than 3 months old when we receive them. Allow yourself enough time to get these.
Apply for police certificates, if required
Check what you will need to include for this visa.
If you have determined you need police certificates, you will need to provide them with your application.
Use the tool to find out how to get police certificates from different countries.
Note
Your police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you submit your application. Allow yourself enough time to get these certificates.
Organise proof you have enough money to live on
Get recent bank or credit card statements, proof of your salary or that your employer can support you for the length of your stay
If you have a sponsor, get a copy of their completed Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry.
Organise proof of your relationship with your partner
Collect information to show your relationship with your partner and proof of their identity.
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Step 2: Complete the application form
Complete the application form and attach all your supporting documents.
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Step 3: Submit your application and pay the fee
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for fees and where to submit your application.
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Step 4: Wait for our decision
We will let you know if we need more information to process your application.
We will email you when we make a decision.
Checking your visa application status
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for timeframes.
If we approve your application, we will give you an eVisa and email you a copy.
Note
If you are already in New Zealand, you must have a valid visa. If your current temporary visa is going to expire while you are waiting for our decision, we will normally issue you an Interim Visa to let you stay in New Zealand lawfully.
Check the 'While you are in New Zealand' section to find out what you can and cannot do when you come to New Zealand.
How to pay and submit
We cannot display any process or costs information until you have provided your country details.
Enter your details so we can show information that is relevant to you.
When you get your visa
Your visa is valid from:
- the date you enter New Zealand, if you are outside New Zealand when we approve your application, or
- the date you get your visa, if you are already in New Zealand.
You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.
When you arrive
Entry permission
You must apply for permission to enter New Zealand. You do this by completing a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) form.
You can start your digital declaration any time, but the earliest you can submit it is 24 hours before starting your travel to New Zealand.
A paper declaration form is available for travellers who cannot complete it online.
New Zealand Traveller Declaration
New Zealand Customs and Biosecurity also check that you meet their entry requirements.
Alert
You can be refused entry permission if you:
- do not have genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand
- do not meet our character requirements
- have had a change in circumstances since we issued your visa
- refuse to let us take your photo, fingerprints or an iris scan.
While you are in New Zealand
Your visa conditions are recorded in your eVisa.
Travel
After you arrive, you can travel in and out of New Zealand as many times as you like before your visa expires.
Work
You can work in any employment you like, as long as:
- the work you do is legal
- you do not provide commercial sexual services
- you do not invest or operate in a business that provides commercial sexual services
- you have any occupational registration that is needed to do that work in New Zealand.
Check if you need occupational registration for your job
Note
Everyone who has a job in New Zealand pays tax on what they earn. To pay tax, you need an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number from Inland Revenue — the New Zealand Government department that collects tax.
Study
You can study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period.
Staying longer
If you want to stay longer, you can apply for residence as the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident.