Choose the Stay Length That Suits Your Plans
Partners of New Zealand citizens or residents can apply for a visitor visa for up to 12 months. The right option depends on your circumstances and how long you intend to stay.
12-Month Visitor Visa
For partners of New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who are ordinarily resident in New Zealand. Allows an extended stay of up to 12 months, with the ability to apply for subsequent visitor visas or transition to a work or residence pathway.
Maximum stay duration
No work rights included
- → Stay up to 12 months in New Zealand
- → Multiple-entry travel permitted
- → Study up to 3 months per year
- → No work rights (visitor conditions apply)
- → Pathway to partner work or residence visa
- → Renewable from within New Zealand
Standard Visitor Visa
For partners who need a shorter visit to New Zealand — up to 9 months for most nationalities. Suitable for couples testing their options before committing to a longer-term work or residence pathway.
Standard maximum stay
No work rights included
- → Quicker to process in many cases
- → Study up to 3 months per year
- → No work rights (visitor conditions apply)
- → Can apply from inside or outside NZ
- → Good starting point before longer-term plans
Who Can Apply?
Both you and your New Zealand partner must meet requirements set by Immigration New Zealand. The relationship must be genuine and stable — visitor visas in this category are not rubber-stamped.
New Zealand Sponsor
Your partner must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident who is ordinarily resident in New Zealand — genuinely living here, not simply holding status from abroad.
Genuine Partnership
You must be in a genuine and stable relationship — married, civil union, or de facto. Both partners must be 18 or over (or 16–17 with parental consent) and must not be close relatives.
Sufficient Funds
You must have enough funds to support yourself during your stay, or your New Zealand partner must be able to support you. INZ generally expects NZD $1,000 per month of intended stay, or evidence of sponsor support.
Good Health
Health requirements apply. Depending on your nationality and the length of your intended stay, a chest X-ray or medical examination may be required before or after your visa is granted.
Good Character
You must satisfy INZ’s good character requirements. Police certificates may be required if you have lived in any country for 12 or more months in the past 10 years.
Genuine Intention to Leave
As with all visitor visas, you must demonstrate an intention to leave New Zealand before your visa expires, unless you successfully transition to a longer-term visa before that date.
Documents & Evidence Required
A strong application shows INZ both the genuineness of your relationship and your ability to support yourself during your stay.
📄 Identity & Relationship Documents
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Valid passport
Current passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your intended departure date from New Zealand.
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Marriage or civil union certificate
If married or in a civil union. De facto partners must provide alternative evidence establishing the relationship.
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Sponsor’s proof of NZ status
New Zealand passport, citizenship certificate, or evidence of permanent residence to confirm your partner’s eligibility to sponsor you.
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Photographs together
Dated photographs at different points in the relationship — social events, travel, family occasions — showing a genuine ongoing couple.
💳 Financial & Support Evidence
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Bank statements (3–6 months)
Your own bank statements demonstrating sufficient funds for your stay, or evidence of regular financial support from your New Zealand partner.
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Sponsor support letter
A signed declaration from your New Zealand partner confirming their address, their relationship to you, and their commitment to financially support you during your visit.
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Accommodation evidence
Proof of where you will stay — a lease agreement, property ownership documents, or a letter from your partner confirming you will live with them.
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Travel itinerary or return ticket
Evidence of onward or return travel where applicable, demonstrating an intention to depart before your visa expires.
🏥 Health & Character (where required)
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Chest X-ray certificate
Required for stays of 6 months or more from certain countries. Completed by an INZ-approved Panel Physician.
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Medical examination (if required)
INZ may request a full medical for applicants from certain countries or with specific health histories. We advise you in advance.
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Police certificate
From each country where you have lived for 12 or more months in the past 10 years. Not always required but advisable to have ready.
How the Process Works
Straightforward when prepared well. Here’s how we guide you from start to visa grant.
Free Consultation
We review your relationship, your partner’s New Zealand status, and your intentions — and recommend the right visa type and duration for your situation.
Document Preparation
We provide a tailored checklist of everything you need, review your documents for completeness, and advise on how to present your relationship and financial position persuasively.
Health & Character Checks
Where required, we guide you through arranging your chest X-ray, medical, or police certificate with the correct approved providers before your application is lodged.
Application Lodgement
We prepare and submit your complete application through INZ’s online portal, ensuring all forms are correctly completed and every supporting document is properly included.
INZ Liaison
We monitor your application progress and respond promptly to any requests for additional information from INZ, keeping delays to a minimum.
Visa Granted & Next Steps
Once approved, we confirm your visa conditions, advise on any reporting obligations, and discuss the pathway to a work or residence visa when you are ready to take that step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s Get You Closer to Your Partner
Whether this is your first visa to New Zealand or a step in a longer journey, we make the process straightforward. Our licensed advisers will ensure your application gives you the best possible chance of approval, first time.
