What Your Partner Studies Determines What You Can Do
Unlike most visas, your eligibility for work rights depends entirely on the level of your partner’s qualification — not just the fact that they are studying. This is the first thing you need to establish.
Level 9–10: Master’s & PhD
Partners of students enrolled in any Master’s degree or PhD programme qualify for a Partner of a Student Work Visa, regardless of the field of study.
Full open work rights — any job, any employer
- → Master’s degrees (all fields)
- → Doctoral degrees / PhD (all fields)
- → Postgraduate qualifications at Level 9+
Level 7–8: Specified Degrees
Partners of students studying certain Bachelor or Bachelor Honours programmes may also qualify for a work visa — provided the qualification meets one of INZ’s specified criteria.
Full open work rights if criteria are met
- → Green List occupation qualifications
- → Post Study Work Visa eligible qualifications
- → Bachelor degrees leading to registered Green List professions (from June 2024)
Other Qualifications
If your partner’s study does not meet the above criteria — for example, diplomas, certificates, or non-specified bachelor degrees — you are not eligible for a work visa but may apply for a visitor visa.
Visitor visa only — no work rights
- → Live in NZ alongside your partner
- → Study up to 3 months per year
- → Cannot work in any capacity
- → Valid for same duration as student visa
Unsure which category your partner’s qualification falls under? We’ll confirm your eligibility before you apply.
As of 21 June 2024, partners of students studying Bachelor degrees and Bachelor Honours qualifications that lead to professional registration for Green List occupations are now eligible for a Partner of a Student Work Visa. This change significantly expanded access to work rights for partners of undergraduate students in fields such as nursing, engineering, and teaching. If your partner is studying one of these qualifications, you may now qualify for work rights where previously you did not.
What the Work Visa Grants You
The Partner of a Student Work Visa is an open work visa — one of the most flexible temporary work visas available in New Zealand. There are no restrictions on which industry, employer, or region you can work in. You do not need a job offer to apply.
Your visa will be granted for the same duration as your partner’s student visa, and it expires when their student visa expires. If your partner’s studies are extended, you can apply to extend your own visa to match.
Application fee from
80% processed within
Work rights — any employer
What You Both Need to Meet
Both you and your student partner must satisfy INZ’s requirements. All conditions must be met at the time of application.
Eligible Student Visa
Your partner must hold a current New Zealand student visa, or be applying for one at the same time as your application. Their visa must be for an eligible qualification level as described above.
Living Together
You and your partner must be living together at the time of application. INZ requires cohabitation as a condition of eligibility — a long-distance relationship where you live separately does not qualify.
Genuine Partnership
Your relationship must be genuine and stable — whether you are married, in a civil union, or in a de facto partnership. INZ will assess the credibility and duration of your relationship.
NZD $4,200 in Funds
You must demonstrate access to at least NZD $4,200 for your living expenses while in New Zealand. Bank statements showing sufficient funds will be required as part of your application.
Health Requirements
You must be in good health. Depending on your country of origin and intended length of stay, a chest X-ray or medical examination may be required as part of the application process.
Good Character
Both you and your student partner must meet INZ’s character requirements. Police certificates may be required if either of you has spent 12 or more months in any country in the past 10 years.
The Evidence INZ Expects to See
The most common reason partner visa applications are delayed or declined is weak relationship evidence. INZ officers are trained to assess whether a relationship is genuine — they look for depth, consistency, and corroboration across multiple types of documentation.
For couples in long-distance situations — where one is already in NZ studying and the other applies from overseas — it’s particularly important to document communication history and previous time spent together. We help you identify exactly what to submit.
Accepted Relationship Evidence:
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Marriage or Civil Union Certificate
Legal documentation of the relationship. Must be officially translated if not in English.
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Shared Address Evidence
Utility bills, tenancy agreements, or official correspondence addressed to both partners at the same address, covering overlapping periods of time.
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Joint Financial Evidence
Shared bank accounts, joint loan documents, or records of regular financial transfers between partners demonstrating financial interdependence.
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Communication History
Emails, messages, or call logs showing ongoing personal contact — especially useful for couples who were long-distance while the student was studying abroad.
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Photographs Together
Dated photos across different settings and time periods showing an active, ongoing relationship rather than isolated meetings.
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Sponsor Form INZ 1146
Your student partner must complete and sign this mandatory sponsorship form. Without it, the application cannot be submitted.
How We Help You Apply
From confirming your eligibility through to receiving your work visa, we manage the process so nothing is missed and nothing delays your arrival.
Qualification Check
We confirm whether your partner’s qualification is on INZ’s eligible list — including checking the June 2024 Green List Bachelor degree expansion — and advise on which visa type you qualify for.
Evidence Review
We assess your current relationship evidence, identify any gaps, and advise on what additional documentation will strengthen your application — particularly for de facto or long-distance situations.
Application Preparation
We prepare all required forms including INZ 1198 (your application) and INZ 1146 (your partner’s sponsor form), compile supporting documents, arrange translations, and review everything before lodging.
Lodgement & Follow-Up
We submit your application and respond to any INZ requests for additional information. We keep you informed throughout processing so you know exactly where your application stands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Possibly. Since June 2024, partners of students studying Bachelor degrees and Bachelor Honours qualifications that lead to professional registration for Green List occupations can qualify for a work visa. This includes fields like nursing, engineering, teaching, and certain medical professions. If your partner’s Bachelor degree is not in one of these specified fields, you would be eligible for a visitor visa only. We can check the specific qualification against the current INZ list.
You can usually apply from both inside and outside New Zealand, depending on your current immigration status. If you are already in New Zealand on a valid visa, you may be able to apply onshore. If you are outside New Zealand, you apply offshore. The important thing is to confirm your current status before lodging — applying from the wrong location can complicate your case. We advise on the correct lodgement point as part of our eligibility review.
Your Partner of a Student Work Visa will be granted for the same duration as your partner’s student visa. When their student visa expires, yours will too. If your partner’s studies are extended and their student visa is renewed, you will need to apply for a further visa to remain in New Zealand — it does not automatically extend with theirs.
The Partner of a Student Work Visa grants open work rights — you can work in any legal job, for any employer, in any industry, anywhere in New Zealand. You can also be self-employed as a sole trader. The only restrictions are that you cannot employ others directly or indirectly, and work cannot involve commercial sexual services. No job offer is required to apply for the visa.
Dependent children cannot be included in your Partner of a Student Work Visa application. However, once you hold this work visa, you may be able to sponsor your dependent children to join you in New Zealand separately. Children of eligible partners may also be treated as domestic students, potentially allowing them to attend school without international fees. We can advise on the pathway for children as part of a broader family application strategy.
Yes. De facto partnerships are fully recognised under New Zealand immigration law. However, INZ applies a higher evidential standard to de facto relationships than to legally married couples, because there is no formal documentation of the relationship. You will need to provide strong, consistent evidence of cohabitation, shared finances, and mutual recognition of the relationship. We recommend seeking advice before applying to ensure your evidence package is sufficient.
Yes. Your partner only needs to hold or be applying for a student visa for an eligible qualification — they do not need to have completed any particular portion of their studies first. You can apply as soon as they have their student visa confirmed. The earlier you apply, the sooner you can begin working in New Zealand. Processing takes approximately 7 weeks for 80% of applications.
Don’t Wait Out Your Partner’s Studies from Home
If your partner’s qualification qualifies, you could be living and working in New Zealand while they study. We’ll check your eligibility, review your evidence, and get your application right the first time.
