Can I bring my partner to New Zealand?
Yes. If you are a New Zealand citizen or resident in a genuine and stable relationship, your partner can apply for a partnership-based visa — married, civil union or de facto. Which visa fits depends on whether they want to work, visit or settle, and how long you have lived together. The visa finder sorts that in a minute.
An open work visa for the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident — work for any employer while you live together in New Zealand.
Not sure? Use the visa finder to check which partnership visa fits your situation.
What you need to know
- Married, civil union and de facto partners all qualify — you do not have to be married.
- A partner of a New Zealander work visa gives open work rights; residence is usually available after around 12 months living together.
- A partnership visitor visa keeps you together when your partner is not ready for work or residence yet.
- If your partner supports you on a work or student visa rather than as a New Zealander, a partner of a worker or partner of a student visa may apply instead.
About the evidence
Whichever visa fits, the application is decided on your relationship evidence — living together, shared finances and a shared life over time.
See what a genuine and stable relationship means and the evidence of living together.
Other visas that might apply
Get it right the first time
Have a lawyer check your situation or run the whole application — backed by our money-back guarantee.
Common questions
- Which partnership visa do we need?
- It depends on whether your partner wants to work, visit or settle, and your living-together history. The visa finder points you to the right one in a couple of questions.
- Do we have to be married?
- No. De facto and civil union partners are recognised equally with married couples. What matters is a genuine and stable relationship and living together.