F2.15 Minimum requirements for the recognition of partnerships

Partnerships will only be recognised for the purposes of these instructions if:

1. the couple are both aged 18 years or older at the time that the application for a residence class visa was lodged; or
2. (if one or both of the parties to the partnership are aged 16 years or older but are less than 18 years of age at the time their application for a residence class visa is lodged), they have the support of the parent(s) or guardian(s) of that (those) party(ies) and are not applying under a dedicated partnership-based visa category; and
3. the couple have met prior to the date the application under these instructions is made; and
4. the couple are not close relatives.

Note: For the purposes of these instructions relationships between close relatives are considered to be:
i. relationships specified as "prohibited degrees of marriage" under Schedule 2 of the Marriage Act 1955;
ii. relationships specified as "prohibited degrees of civil union" under Schedule 2 of the Civil Union Act 2004; and
iii. de facto relationships equivalent to the provisions under Schedule 2 of the Marriage Act 1955 and under Schedule 2 of the Civil Union Act 2004.

F2.15.1 Minimum requirements for the recognition of partnership evidence under dedicated partnership-based visa categories

1. When assessing whether the principal applicant and partner meet partnership requirements under dedicated partnership-based visa categories, evidence of the partnership will only be recognised from when both the applicant and supporting partner were aged 18 years or older.
2. For the purposes of these instructions, a dedicated partnership-based visa category is where a:
   1. New Zealand citizen or resident is supporting a Partner of a New Zealander visitor, work or resident visa application; or
   2. New Zealand citizen or resident is supporting a Culturally Arranged Marriage visitor visa application; or
   3. work visa holder is supporting a Partner of a Worker (including AEWV) visitor or work visa application; or
   4. student visa holder is supporting a Partner of a Student visitor or work visa application.

Note: For the avoidance of doubt, partners included in residence categories under the Skilled, Business, International, Humanitarian, other non-partnership-based Family streams, or partners included in general visitor visa applications, are not considered to be applying under a dedicated partnership-based visa category.

Effective 25/09/2026