Planning to live with your partner in New Zealand? This blog is for you. Written under the expert guidance of Licensed Immigration Adviser Ms. Parwinder Kaur, this guide explains the New Zealand immigration rules for spouse and partner visas in 2025 in a simple and easy way. If your partner is a New Zealand citizen, resident, or a visa holder (student or work), you may be able to apply for a New Zealand Spouse Visa, New Zealand Partner Visa, or a Dependent Visa New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand requires couples to prove that they are in a genuine and stable relationship. This blog will help you understand visa types, eligibility, documents needed, new 2025 changes, application process, and what to avoid. Whether you’re married or in a de facto relationship, this blog will guide you step-by-step.
Types of New Zealand Spouse and Partner Visas
New Zealand offers different visa options for people who are in a relationship with someone living in New Zealand. These options are called New Zealand Spouse Visa, New Zealand Partner Visa, or Dependent Visa New Zealand, depending on the situation of your partner. If you are legally married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship, you may qualify for one of these visas. The most important part of the visa application is proving that your relationship is real, genuine, and stable. Here are the main types of spouse or partner visas available in 2025:
Partner of a New Zealand Citizen or Resident
If your partner is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, you can apply for a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa. This visa allows you to live, work, and study in New Zealand. Once granted, you can later apply for residence if you continue to meet the conditions. You must show that you have been living together in a committed relationship for a reasonable time (usually 12 months or more), though shorter relationships may also be considered in some cases.
Partner of a Work Visa Holder
If your spouse or partner holds a valid New Zealand work visa, you may be able to apply for a New Zealand Spouse Visa as their dependent. In most cases, you will get an open work visa, which means you can work for any employer in New Zealand without needing a job offer. The eligibility depends on the skill level of your partner’s job and whether their visa type allows sponsorship for partners.
Partner of a Student Visa Holder
If your partner is studying in New Zealand, you may be able to apply for a Dependent Visa New Zealand. Your visa type will depend on the course your partner is studying. For example, if they are studying a master’s or PhD level course (or a program listed on New Zealand’s Green List), you may be eligible for an open work visa. In other cases, you may be granted a visitor visa.
Partner of a Post-Study Work Visa Holder
If your partner is staying in New Zealand after finishing their studies on a post-study work visa, you may also be eligible for a partner visa. Again, the type of visa you receive (work or visitor) depends on their job and field of study. Immigration New Zealand usually expects evidence of shared accommodation, joint responsibilities, and regular communication to approve this visa.
What’s New in 2025 Immigration Rules for Spouse Visas?
In 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) continues to focus on genuine and stable relationships for approving New Zealand Spouse Visa and New Zealand Partner Visa applications. One important change is that INZ now requires stronger proof of living together. It is not enough to just show communication or marriage certificates. Couples must provide documents such as joint bank accounts, shared rental agreements, utility bills, or photos living together over a period of time. This is to confirm that the relationship is not just on paper but truly genuine. Another update is more focus on relationship length. If you have been together for less than 12 months, your visa may be granted for a shorter time and with limited conditions. However, longer relationships with solid evidence may receive longer visa validity and easier renewals.
Also, in 2025, more attention is given to the visa status of the sponsoring partner. For example, if your partner holds a work or student visa, they must meet certain criteria before they can support your application. For student visa holders, only those enrolled in Level 9 or 10 courses (like master’s or PhD) or courses related to New Zealand’s Green List occupations can support their partner for a Dependent Visa New Zealand with work rights. If not, the dependent partner may only get a visitor visa. INZ also expects full disclosure of immigration history, financial support, and clear relationship timelines in the application to avoid delays or refusals.
Eligibility Criteria for Spouse Visa New Zealand
- Genuine and stable relationship: To get a New Zealand Spouse Visa or New Zealand Partner Visa, your relationship must be real and long-term. Immigration New Zealand looks for proof that you are living together and are committed to each other. You can show this through photos, chats, emails, shared bills, joint bank accounts, and rental agreements.
- Living together requirement: It is very important that you and your partner have lived together before applying. Just being married or engaged is not enough. Immigration New Zealand expects real proof like shared housing, joint utility bills, or letters showing you receive mail at the same address.
- Partner must be eligible to support you: For a Dependent Visa New Zealand, your partner must be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or a visa holder (student or work visa). If your partner is on a student visa, they must be studying a master’s, PhD, or a course linked to the Green List to support you for a work visa.
- Minimum age, health and character: Both of you must be at least 18 years old or have consent from a guardian if younger. You must also meet good health standards and provide police certificates to show good character.
- Sponsorship limits: Your partner must not have supported too many other visa applicants in the past or have a history of immigration issues, as this could affect your application.
Documents Required for New Zealand Partner Visa
When applying for a New Zealand Spouse Visa, New Zealand Partner Visa, or Dependent Visa New Zealand, the most important part of your application is proving that your relationship is genuine and stable. Immigration New Zealand expects strong evidence that you and your partner are truly living together and have a committed relationship. You will need to provide photos together over time, messages or emails exchanged, joint travel records, and details showing how long you have been in the relationship. If you live together, documents like tenancy agreements, utility bills with both names, or shared financial accounts help strengthen your case.
In addition to relationship proof, you will also need identity documents. This includes valid passports for both you and your partner, your birth certificate, and passport-sized photos. Immigration New Zealand may also ask for medical certificates, chest x-ray reports, and police clearance certificates to check your health and character. These documents help show that you meet the basic visa conditions. For partners applying under the Dependent Visa New Zealand category, extra documents like your partner’s visa copy, university enrolment letter, or job offer may be needed.
If your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident, you will need to provide their passport or residence certificate, and they must complete a sponsorship form. All documents must be in English or officially translated. Submitting complete and clear documents increases your chance of a faster decision and a successful visa outcome in 2025.
Visa Fees and Processing Time for New Zealand Spouse Visa
Immigration New Zealand updated visa fees from 1 October 2024. For a New Zealand Partner Visa (partner of work visa holder), the fee starts at around NZD 1,630, and for a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa, it’s about NZD 5,360. You may also need to pay an immigration levy and sometimes the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) when applicable Processing times vary: a partner work visa is usually decided within 8 weeks (80% of applications), while partner resident visas take up to 9 months (80% of applications). If you apply for a Dependent Visa New Zealand under a student visa, expect timing similar to partner work visas. Always check real-time updates on the INZ website for the most accurate New Zealand Spouse Visa processing times.
Common Reasons for Visa Refusals
- Insufficient proof of genuine relationship: Immigration New Zealand often refuses applications if the couple fails to show a stable and real partnership. Applicants must provide strong evidence like photos, shared bills, messages, joint travel or bank statements to prove they live as a genuine couple. Holiday trips alone aren’t enough; living together (even for 3–4 months) is essential.
- Inconsistencies or missing information: If the details you submit differ between documents or interviews, your application may be declined. Immigration officers compare statements, forms, and evidence.
- Health and character concerns: Applicants must meet health checks (like chest x-rays) and character standards (police certificates). Any criminal record, false information, or risk to public safety can lead to refusal of a spouse or dependent visa in New Zealand.
- Giving false or misleading information: Providing incorrect, incomplete, or misleading documents, even unintentionally, can result in refusal. It may also harm future visa applications, as INZ tracks past behaviour.
Step-by-step Application Process for New Zealand Partner Visa
- Decide your visa type & check requirements: Start by choosing the right visa: New Zealand Spouse Visa, New Zealand Partner Visa, or Dependent Visa New Zealand. Visit the Immigration New Zealand website and use their “Find and choose a visa” tool to check what you need, like relationship evidence, health, character, and financial documents.
- Gather all required documents: Collect proof of identity (passports, birth certificates), relationship (photos, messages, joint bills), health (chest X-ray, medical exam), character (police certificates), and your partner’s visa or citizenship info.
- Have your partner complete sponsorship forms: Your partner, as your supporter, must complete a special form (e.g, INZ 1146 for work/visitor or INZ 1178 for residence). They must also show proof they can support you, meet character rules, and haven’t sponsored beyond limits.
- Apply online & upload documents: Most partner visas must be applied for online. Create or log into your Immigration NZ account, choose the correct visa, fill out personal and relationship details, upload documents (scanned copies acceptable), and pay the visa fees.
- Wait and respond to INZ requests: After submission, INZ might ask for more information or updated health/police checks. Watch your email and online portal. If you live in New Zealand, you’ll get an interim visa to stay legally while waiting.
- Receive the decision & plan your future: When your visa is approved, you’ll receive an eVisa via email. If you’re overseas, your visa starts when you arrive; if you’re in New Zealand, it starts on the approval date. You can then live, work, or study under the visa rules. If you’re eligible, you can later apply for residence.
How West Highlander Immigration can Help?
At West Highlander Immigration, we understand that applying for a New Zealand Spouse Visa, New Zealand Partner Visa, or Dependent Visa New Zealand can feel confusing. Our expert team, led by Licensed Immigration Adviser Ms. Parwinder Kaur, is here to guide you at every step. We help you prepare the right documents, explain the visa rules clearly, and avoid mistakes that can lead to delays or refusals. With our experience in handling partner visa applications, we make the process easier and faster. Contact us today for trusted advice and start your journey to New Zealand with confidence.