The good news of [cy] is that you can come to New Zealand on spousal visa sponsored by a partner, i.e., someone you love and can prove that you are indeed partners. When applying for a spouse visa in New Zealand, Living together is an important condition for any partnership visa. If you have not lived together, you are not eligible for a partnership visa – this rule is non-negotiable.
So, this guide is for you to know about New Zealand spouse visa for immigrants with Visa Sponsorship as you will be coming.
For a partnership work visa or partnership visitor visa, while there is no set minimum time for cohabitation, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) typically expects proof of you living together for at least 3 to 4 months only.
However, going through these processes can be tricky, particularly if you have faced a previous visa decline. As such, this guide is taking the place of an immigration lawyer to walk you through the process for you to come to New Zealand today.
Can I Sponsor My Spouse to New Zealand?
Yes, a spouse can be sponsored to come to New Zealand and work or do anything they like. The important things are your health and welfare, like food, clothing and healthcare.
Your sponsor will pay the cost of your travel if you do not intend to pay for it by yourself.
So, Yes, your spouse can sponsor you once they meet the important conditions. Simply holding a marriage or civil union certificate does not automatically mean you have a partnership in the eyes of Immigration New Zealand. To prove partnership, you must provide evidence such as house deeds, rental agreements, joint bank accounts, and joint utility statements.
In terms of marriage versus civil union, while New Zealand treats them similarly, if you travel abroad, being married may make it easier to explain your relationship in countries that may not recognise civil unions. For this reason, unless you strongly oppose marriage, it is the easier route when dealing with international immigration matters.
Marriage often simplifies visa processing, especially in countries with stricter definitions of partnership. Ensure you have your documents and evidence to support your application.
How Much Money Do You Need to Sponsor Someone in New Zealand?
The cost of sponsoring a spouse to New Zealand varies depending on the type of visa applied for. Below are the details for different visa categories:
Partner of a New Zealand Resident Visa:
- Paper Application Fee: $3610 NZD
- Online Application Fee: $3610 NZD
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa:
- Application Fee: £113
- Visa Application Centre Service Fee: £24
- Courier Fee: £6.70 – £52.50
- Processing Fee: $211 NZD
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa:
- Application Fee: £457
- Visa Application Centre Service Fee: £24
- Courier Fee: £6.70 – £52.50
- Processing Fee: $860 NZD
New Zealand Spouse Visa for Immigrants – Visa Sponsorship in New Zealand
This visa comes in different categories, and immigrants are to apply according to what is applicable to them.
1. Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
This visa allows you to obtain New Zealand residence if they have a partner who is a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Length of stay
Indefinitely
Cost
From NZD $5360
Processing time
80% of applications processed within 8 months
With this visa you can
- Live, work, and study in New Zealand.
- Include dependent children (aged 24 and under) in your visa application.
Please note the following…
- You and your partner must have lived together for at least 12 months before submitting your application.
- If your partner’s New Zealand residence is based on their Australian citizenship, permanent residence, or resident return visa, you can only apply if your partner is currently living in New Zealand.
- If you and your New Zealand citizen partner have lived together outside of New Zealand for over 5 years, you might be granted permanent residence. Your partner needs to be overseas when you apply or must have returned to New Zealand less than 3 months before your application.
2. Partner of a Student Work Visa
This visa allows individuals to work in New Zealand if their partner is studying an eligible qualification at level 7 or 8 or a higher qualification at level 9 or 10.
Length of stay
Same duration as your partner’s student visa
Cost
From NZD $1630
Processing time
80% of applications processed within 8 weeks
With this visa you can:
- Join your partner in New Zealand.
- Work in New Zealand.
- Study for up to 3 months.
Things to note
- Your partner must be studying for one of the eligible qualifications.
- You don’t need a New Zealand job offer to apply.
- You cannot include dependent children in your application, but they can apply for visas based on their relationship with you.
3. Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
This visa allows individuals to work in New Zealand if their partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Length of stay
Up to 3 years
Cost
From NZD $1630
Processing time
80% of applications processed within 9 weeks
With this visa you can
- Join your partner in New Zealand.
- Work in New Zealand.
- Study for up to 3 months.
Things to note
- Dependent children cannot be included in your visa application, but they can apply for visas based on their relationship to you.
- If you’ve lived with your partner for less than 12 months, you will initially be granted a 1-year visa, and you can apply for more visas to stay up to 3 years.
- If you have lived together for over 12 months, the visa can be granted for up to 3 years.
4. Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa
This visa allows individuals to work in New Zealand while their partner is studying on an MFAT-funded NZ Scholarship.
Length of stay
Same duration as your partner’s student visa
Cost
From NZD $1630
Processing time
80% of applications processed within 8 weeks
With this visa you can, Join your partner in New Zealand, Work in New Zealand, and Study for up to 3 months.
Things to note
- This visa is not available if your partner’s visa was granted for a Short-Term Training Award, New Zealand Regional Development Scholarship, or English Language Training for Officials scholarship.
- No job offer is needed to apply.
- You cannot include dependent children in your visa application, but they can apply for visas based on their relationship to you.
What are the requirements for a spouse visa in New Zealand?
This spousal visa could be based on anything, including a ridiculous fact the visa officer has seen two toothbrushes in a cup in a bathroom selfie in your gallery. So, yes, it can be this thorough.
1. Proof of Genuine and Stable Relationship
You need to provide evidence that your relationship is genuine and stable. This can include:
- Photos together
- Messages exchanged
- Shared financial commitments
- Letters from family and mutual friends
2. Proof of Identity
Applicants must provide documents to confirm their identity. This includes:
- One acceptable photo for online applications or two for paper applications
- Passport or certificate of identity
- For online applications, a copy of your full birth certificate; for paper applications, the original or certified copy of the birth certificate is required.
If applying online, you will need to upload a copy of your passport, and later submit the physical passport when instructed. For paper applications, you may send either your passport or a certified copy, followed by instructions on when to send the original passport.
3. Health Requirements
Applicants must be in good health. You are required to submit:
- A chest x-ray
- A medical examination
These are used to prove that you meet the health criteria.
4. Good Character
You must demonstrate good character by providing police certificates. If you are over 17 and intend to stay in New Zealand for more than 24 months, you will need police certificates from:
- Your country of citizenship
- Any other country where you have spent at least 12 months in the last 10 years
If you have submitted police certificates for a previous visa application, and they were issued within the last 24 months, you don’t need to resubmit them.
5. Partner’s New Zealand Citizenship or Residency
Your partner must either be a New Zealand citizen or a resident. They must provide:
- A New Zealand passport
- A birth certificate
- A New Zealand citizenship certificate
- A residence class visa
If your partner holds Australian residency, they can provide their Australian passport or a permanent resident visa.
6. Partner’s Place of Residence
If your partner has New Zealand residence based on Australian citizenship or residency, they must prove that they live in New Zealand. This can be done by submitting:
- Letters or bills addressed to them
- Employment records
- Records of benefits or tax payments
- Mortgage or tenancy agreements
- Utility supply agreements
- Proof of moving household effects to New Zealand
7. Partner’s Character
Your partner must also meet character requirements. They must submit a police certificate from any country where they’ve spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years. If your partner has convictions for domestic violence or sexual offences, they may not meet the character standards. A character waiver may be considered in such cases.
8. Living Together in a Genuine and Stable Relationship
You and your partner must have lived together in a stable relationship for at least 12 months before applying. Evidence should include:
- How long you’ve been together
- How long you’ve lived together
- Shared finances and responsibilities
- Photos, emails, and social media conversations
- Statements from others recognising your relationship
New Zealand spouse visa processing time
So, How long does a New Zealand spouse visa take? 80% of spouse visa applications are processed within 8 months.
Please, prepare thoroughly by submitting every possible piece of evidence proving that your relationship is genuine. You should include details about how long you’ve known each other, even before dating. Supplement this with evidence like Facebook chats, letters from people who know your relationship is real, and more.
Please note that this information is based on friends’ experiences. It is not official advice as I am not an immigration advisor. Always consult official sources or professional advice for your visa application process.
Can I Bring My Wife to New Zealand While Working?
If you’re working in New Zealand and wish to bring your wife, you can 100%. One option is to apply for a Partner Visitor Visa. This is especially useful if you’ve spent some time together but don’t yet meet the “living together” requirement for a Partner Work Visa. Remember, simply visiting each other does not count as living together under immigration rules.
Once you’ve lived together for the required period, you can apply for a Partner Work Visa. This visa will allow your wife to work anywhere in New Zealand and in any job. Another approach is to initially apply for a Partner Visitor Visa, and after six months of living together in New Zealand, your wife can transfer to a Partner Work Visa. However, it’s important to note that a Partner Visitor Visa does not permit your wife to work during the visitor period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents are required for a spouse visa in New Zealand?
- A valid passport valid for at least three months after your intended stay.
- A completed Visa Application Form.
- The visa application fee receipt.
- A health insurance receipt.
- Health and Character certificates, which may be needed to confirm your genuine intent to stay in New Zealand.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- A marriage certificate or evidence of guardians’ support (for applicants aged 16 or 17).
- A Police Verification Certificate.
Does a Spouse Visa Require IELTS in New Zealand?
For a spouse visa in New Zealand, there is no IELTS requirement. Applicants do not need to provide proof of English language ability through IELTS or similar tests. While many countries might require this, New Zealand does not impose this condition specifically for spouse visas. Instead, the focus is on other aspects, such as your genuine relationship, documents, and the intention to live in New Zealand.
What Happens If You Break Up on a Partner Visa in New Zealand?
If you and your partner end your relationship while holding a partner visa, your visa will become invalid. The visa is entirely dependent on your relationship with the main visa holder. If the breakup is reported, your visa will be curtailed, meaning it will no longer be valid, and you cannot renew it. It’s important to inform Immigration New Zealand if your relationship ends to avoid being accused of visa fraud, which could lead to further penalties.
The responsibilities of your sponsor begin from the date you arrive in New Zealand. Also, the responsibilities of your sponsorship end on the date you decide you want to leave or get a new visa — with or without a sponsor.
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