Your Safety Comes First
If you are in immediate danger, call 111. For confidential crisis support, Women’s Refuge is available 24/7 on 0800 733 843 and the Family Violence Info Line is available on 0800 456 450. Immigration advice is important — but your physical safety comes first. We can work around your safety situation and conduct consultations in a way that keeps you protected.
The Immigration Problem
Visa Dependency Creates Vulnerability
Many people in New Zealand are on visas that depend on their partner — partnership-based residence applications, temporary visas sponsored by a partner, or work visas tied to a partner’s employment. When family violence occurs in these relationships, the visa dependency can be used as a tool of control: “Leave me and you’ll be deported.”
This is a recognised problem. New Zealand’s immigration law includes specific provisions designed to break this dependency — allowing victims of family violence to apply for residence or a visa in their own right, separate from their partner’s support or cooperation.
Family Violence Has a Broad Legal Definition
Under NZ law, family violence includes physical violence, psychological abuse, financial control, threats, intimidation, harassment, and damage to property. You do not need to have been physically harmed to qualify — coercive and controlling behaviour is recognised.
Who This Applies To
Visa Situations Commonly Affected
Immigration Pathways
Your Options Under NZ Immigration Law
The specific pathway available to you depends on your current visa type and circumstances. We assess which applies and advise on the strongest route forward.
Family Violence Residence Visa
If you were in a partnership-based residence application or a two-stage partnership residence and have experienced family violence, you may be able to apply for residence independently — without your partner’s cooperation or support letter.
- Who qualifies: Those in partnership residence stream who experienced family violence
- Key evidence: Family violence support person report or statutory declaration
- Outcome: Permanent residence in your own right
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa
If you are on a temporary visa that depends on your partner and you have experienced family violence, you may be eligible for a special temporary visa that allows you to remain in New Zealand while your longer-term options are assessed.
- Who qualifies: Temporary visa holders experiencing family violence
- Duration: Typically 6 months while longer-term path is determined
- Outcome: Right to work and remain temporarily; pathway planning
Other Independent Pathways
Depending on your skills, employment, qualifications, or NZ ties, there may be independent visa pathways available that don’t rely on the family violence provisions at all — giving you additional options beyond the partnership stream.
- Examples: AEWV (work visa through employer), Skilled Migrant Category, student visa
- Humanitarian: Ministerial discretion for exceptional circumstances
- Outcome: Independence from partner-based visa status
Evidence
What INZ Accepts as Proof
You do not need a conviction, police report, or Protection Order to make a family violence immigration application. INZ accepts a wide range of evidence. You also do not need to have left the relationship already.
Confidentiality Is Protected
INZ will not contact your partner, disclose that you have applied, or share the details of your application with them. The process is handled confidentially. We also conduct our consultations with your safety in mind — contact us to arrange a safe time and method to speak.
- Report from an approved family violence support person (social worker, counsellor, DVSA)
- Refuge or crisis shelter records
- Report from registered health professional
- Letters from community support organisations
- Statutory declaration (your own sworn statement)
- Protection Order (if obtained)
- Police report or attendance record
- Court records related to family violence proceedings
- Medical records of injuries or treatment
- GP or hospital records
- Psychologist or counsellor reports
- Mental health treatment records
- Witness statements (neighbours, friends, family)
- Text messages, emails, or call records
- Photos of injuries or property damage
- Financial control evidence (bank records)
Support Services
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Immigration advice is one part of the support you need. New Zealand has a strong network of family violence support services — many of which are free, confidential, and experienced in working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
We regularly work alongside these services — with your consent — to ensure your immigration case is supported by the right evidence and advocacy from approved support persons.
Women’s Refuge
24/7 crisis support, safe houses, and advocacy for women and children experiencing family violence. Experienced with migrant and refugee situations. Can provide approved support person reports for INZ.
Shakti Community Council
Specialist support for Asian, African, and Middle Eastern women and children experiencing family violence. Culturally appropriate services and licensed immigration advisers within their network.
SHINE
Specialist domestic violence services across New Zealand. Provide counselling, safety planning, advocacy, and can act as approved support persons for INZ immigration applications.
Community Law Centres
Free legal advice on Protection Orders, Family Court matters, and related legal issues. Can help you understand your legal rights independently of the immigration process.
Our Process
How We Help You
We handle family violence immigration cases with care, confidentiality, and urgency. Your safety and wellbeing guide every step of how we work with you.
Confidential Consultation
We arrange a consultation in a safe and private manner — by phone, video, or in person at a safe location. We understand that contacting a lawyer may need to happen covertly. Tell us your situation and we will work around it.
Immigration Status Assessment
We review your current visa, your relationship situation, and your immigration history to identify which pathway — family violence residence, victims visa, or an independent pathway — is available and strongest for your circumstances.
Evidence Gathering & Support Coordination
We identify what evidence is available and help you gather it safely. Where appropriate, we coordinate with support organisations to obtain approved support person reports. We advise on how to document your experience compellingly without putting you at risk.
Application Preparation
We prepare your application carefully — ensuring all evidence is presented clearly, all INZ requirements are met, and your personal statement is handled sensitively. Where urgency is needed, we request priority processing.
Submission & INZ Liaison
We submit your application and handle all communication with INZ on your behalf. We respond to any requests for further information and monitor progress. Your partner is not notified or contacted.
Outcome & Ongoing Support
Once your application is decided, we walk you through your new immigration status, your rights, and your next steps. If further applications are needed — for children, for a permanent resident visa, or for any other matter — we continue supporting you.
FAQ
Common Questions
Do I need a Protection Order or police report to apply?
No. A Protection Order or police report is one type of evidence but is not required. INZ accepts a wide range of evidence — including a statutory declaration, a report from an approved support person such as a social worker or counsellor, medical records, and witness statements. Many people in family violence situations have not involved police, and INZ understands this.
Will my partner find out that I applied?
No. INZ will not contact your partner, notify them of your application, or share any details of the process with them. The application is handled confidentially. We also take care in how we communicate with you — if there is a risk that communications could be monitored, please let us know so we can take appropriate precautions.
Can I apply if I am still in the relationship?
Yes. You do not have to have left the relationship to apply. INZ recognises that leaving is often not immediately possible — particularly when immigration status, housing, finances, and children are involved. If you are still in the relationship, we advise on how to apply safely and what safety planning is recommended before and after applying.
My visa has already expired. Am I too late?
Not necessarily. An expired visa does not automatically bar a family violence immigration application — particularly where the expiry was directly linked to the relationship and the violence you experienced. We assess your situation urgently and advise on the best available pathway, including whether an urgent bridging visa or other immediate protection is available.
Can my children be included in my application?
Yes. Dependent children who were included in the partner-based visa or application can typically be included in your independent family violence application. Their wellbeing is also a factor INZ considers when processing your case. We advise on exactly how to include your children and what additional documentation may be needed for them.
Speak to Us Confidentially
Your Immigration Status Should Not Trap You
A confidential consultation costs nothing. We will tell you exactly what options are available for your situation, how to access them safely, and what to do next. You are not alone in this.
