Can I bring my husband or wife to New Zealand?
Yes. If you are a New Zealand citizen or resident, your husband or wife can apply to join you on a partnership-based visa. Being married is strong evidence, but Immigration New Zealand still has to be satisfied your relationship is genuine and stable. A partner of a New Zealander work visa is usually the first step.
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
- Marriage is recognised, but it does not guarantee a visa on its own — you still have to show a genuine and stable relationship.
- A civil union is treated the same way as a marriage for partnership visas.
- A partner of a New Zealander work visa gives open work rights; residence is usually available once you have lived together for around 12 months.
- If your partner is here to be with you but not yet ready for work or residence, a partnership visitor visa can keep you together in the meantime.
About the evidence
Even married couples should put together clear evidence of living together, shared finances and a shared life — that is what the application is actually decided on.
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
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Common questions
- Does being married guarantee a partnership visa?
- No. Marriage is good evidence, but Immigration New Zealand still has to be satisfied the relationship is genuine and stable and, for most visas, that you live together. A marriage certificate alone is not enough.
- Can my husband or wife work once they arrive?
- On a partner of a New Zealander work visa, yes — it gives open work rights once granted. A visitor visa does not allow work, so check the conditions on whichever visa they hold before they start any job.
- Do we have to apply for residence straight away?
- No. Many couples start with a partner work or visitor visa and apply for residence later, once they meet the living-together history residence usually requires.