Marriage is a significant step in anyone’s life, and when it comes to international relationships, understanding the visa options becomes crucial, especially if you plan to live in New Zealand with your New Zealand citizen or resident partner. If you’ve recently married a New Zealand citizen or resident, or are planning to marry in New Zealand, you might be wondering what your visa options are and how to navigate the process. In this blog, we’ll dive into the various visa options, with a special focus on the Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa, a key visa pathway for those who’ve married in a traditional arranged setting or plan to do so in New Zealand.
New Zealand Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
If you’ve married or are about to marry a New Zealand citizen or resident, and the marriage has been arranged in line with a culturally significant tradition, the Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa could be the right pathway for you. This visa allows you to travel to New Zealand for the purpose of living with your partner, either after a marriage overseas or to get married in New Zealand.
This visa is specific to marriages that are arranged by someone other than the couple, such as a family member, matchmaker, or another person in a culturally recognized way. In this section, we’ll discuss the key points you need to understand about this visa.
Length of Stay
The Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa allows you to stay in New Zealand for up to 3 months. This is a short-term visa that gives you time to either marry your partner or live together in New Zealand post-marriage.
Cost and Processing Time
- Visa Cost: The application for this visa costs NZD 441. This fee includes the immigration levy and a non-refundable charge for processing the application.
- Processing Time: On average, 80% of applications are processed within 4 weeks. This is a relatively quick processing time, but it can vary depending on the completeness of your application and any additional documents or checks required.
What This Visa Allows You to Do
- Get Married in New Zealand: If you’re coming to New Zealand to marry, the visa allows you to do so, but your wedding must occur within 3 months of your arrival.
- Join Your Partner After Marrying Overseas: If you were married abroad, you can use this visa to come to New Zealand and join your partner.
- Apply for a Partnership Visa: Once you have arrived in New Zealand and are living with your partner, you may be eligible to apply for a Partnership Visa. This is an important next step towards securing your long-term stay in New Zealand.
Requirements for the New Zealand Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
To apply for the Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa, there are several requirements you must meet. These requirements are specific to both you, the applicant, and your New Zealand partner. Below are the key eligibility criteria:
Marriage Must Be Culturally Arranged
This visa is unique in that it specifically targets those whose marriage is culturally arranged. The arrangement of your marriage must be done by someone other than you or your partner, such as a family member, matchmaker, or another intermediary, and it must follow a recognized cultural tradition.
Evidence Needed: To prove that your marriage is culturally arranged, you may need to provide various documents such as:
- Communication records between the families or the matchmaker and the couple.
- Documents that show the marriage arrangement or ceremony is publicly recognized.
- Confirmation from an independent source that the marriage arrangement follows the cultural customs.
- A written account of how the marriage was arranged and any other relevant documents that demonstrate the cultural aspect of the arrangement.
This specific requirement helps Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ensure that applicants are in genuine, culturally significant relationships.
Genuine Intentions
One of the most important criteria for a successful visa application is the genuine intention to live with your partner. Immigration New Zealand will assess whether your marriage is genuine and if your relationship is intended to be long-term and exclusive. They will also review the following:
- Any information you provide in your application.
- Your personal circumstances.
- Any previous visa applications you may have made.
Your intentions will be evaluated based on the information available, including your history with your partner and your reasons for coming to New Zealand.
Health and Character Requirements
Like other visas, applicants must meet health and character requirements. The good news is that if your stay in New Zealand is less than 6 months, you are not typically required to undergo a chest X-ray. However, if your stay exceeds 6 months or you are planning to stay longer, you may be asked to undergo medical checks.
- Good Health: You may be required to provide medical certificates if requested. If you’ve spent more than 12 months in a country with a high risk of tuberculosis, a chest X-ray may be requested.
- Good Character: Immigration New Zealand will assess your criminal record. If you have any convictions or a history of security concerns, your application may be declined. You may also need to submit police certificates from any country you have lived in for over 12 months since turning 17.
Legal Impediments
Your marriage must not have any legal impediments. INZ will ask about your marital status and your relationship with your partner when you submit your application.
Age and Relationship Recognition
Both you and your partner must be 18 years or older when applying for this visa. If either of you is aged 16 or 17, you will need parental or guardian consent to proceed with the application.
Additionally, both partners must have met each other before the application is submitted. This helps to prove that the relationship is not just based on an immigration arrangement but is a real, established connection.
Partner’s Immigration Status
Your New Zealand partner must be either a New Zealand citizen or resident. In addition, your partner must meet certain character requirements and be eligible to support your application. They must:
- Provide proof of their New Zealand status (e.g., New Zealand passport, birth certificate, or residency visa).
- Be in good character and not have criminal convictions related to domestic violence or sexual offences.
New Zealand CAM Visitor Visa Application Process
Applying for the Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa involves several key steps. Below is an overview of what you need to do:
Get Your Partner’s Support
Before you start your application, your partner must provide their support for your visa application. Your partner will need to log into Immigration Online, using their RealMe account, and complete a form confirming their support. This form will help Immigration New Zealand determine whether your partner can meet their responsibilities while you are in New Zealand.
Submit Your Application
Once your partner has completed their support form, you can submit your application online via Immigration Online. You will be required to:
- Provide your passport and identity photos.
- Complete the application form.
- Upload any necessary documents (e.g., marriage certificates, medical certificates, police certificates).
Pay the Application Fee
The application fee is NZD 441, which includes the immigration levy and the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Payment can be made online using Visa, MasterCard, or UnionPay.
Wait for Processing and Approval
Once you submit your application, Immigration New Zealand will review it. As mentioned earlier, most applications are processed within 4 weeks, but delays can occur depending on the complexity of your case or the need for additional documents.
Transitioning to a New Zealand Partnership Visa
After arriving in New Zealand and living with your partner for a period of time, you may be eligible to apply for a Partnership Visa. This visa allows you to stay in New Zealand long-term and eventually apply for permanent residency.
Partnership Visa: To apply for this, you must demonstrate that you have been living together with your New Zealand partner for a substantial period and that the relationship is genuine.
Marrying a New Zealand citizen or resident opens up several visa options for you to live and work in the country. If your marriage is culturally arranged, the Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa provides a straightforward pathway to join your partner and begin living together in New Zealand. With the right visa, you can take the next steps in building a life together with your partner in New Zealand.
For personalized assistance, don’t hesitate to consult with a qualified immigration advisor to guide you through the application process!
West Highlander Immigration
Remember, meeting all the eligibility criteria and providing sufficient evidence is essential for a successful visa application. If you’re unsure about any aspect of the process, it’s always a good idea to seek professional immigration advice from somebody like Ms. Parwinder Kaur, an LIA at West Highlander Immigration to ensure everything is in order.