WI7.1 Who is eligible for a special work visa (23/12/2019)

People in New Zealand:

1. who are, or have been in a partnership (see F2.5b) with a New Zealand citizen or residence class visa holder; and
2. had intended to seek residence in New Zealand on the basis of that partnership; and
3. that partnership has ended due to family violence by the New Zealand citizen or residence class visa holder or someone with whom the applicant is living in a family relationship; and
4. who show a need to work in order to support themselves;

may be granted work visas valid for 6 months. This may be extended to nine months if the applicant applies for residence.

Note: For the purpose of these instructions, ' family relationship' has the meaning set out in section 12 of the Family Violence Act 2018.

For the purposes of schedule 5(9) of the Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010, the category is also known as both the Special Category for Victims of Domestic Violence and the Special Category for Victims of Family Violence.

Effective 23/12/2019