What counts as a culturally arranged marriage?

A marriage where the selection of the bride and groom is made by people other than the couple — usually the families, sometimes a matchmaker — following an identifiable cultural tradition, with the consent of both parties. If the couple chose each other themselves, it does not qualify, even with family support.

Does a love marriage with our families' blessing qualify?

No. The selection has to be arranged by others, not by the couple. A relationship the two of you started and then had your families approve is treated as a love marriage and does not meet this category. A partnership visa or a general visitor visa may fit your situation instead.

Do we have to have met in person?

Yes. You and your partner must have met in person as adults. A marriage where the couple have only ever met online does not satisfy the requirement.

Is there a time limit?

Yes. If you are coming to marry in New Zealand, the wedding must take place within 3 months of your arrival. If you already married overseas, you must apply within 3 months of the wedding. Missing the window rarely succeeds.

Why are these visas often declined?

Commonly because the marriage looks couple-led rather than arranged, the couple had not met in person, the application was out of time, or the cultural arrangement was not well evidenced. In 2022 these visas were declined almost as often as they were approved.

Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa

The Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa lets you come to New Zealand to marry, or to join a partner you have recently married, where the marriage was arranged according to the traditions of your culture. The defining feature is that the marriage is arranged by other people — usually your families or a matchmaker — and not by the couple yourselves. It does not require you to be living together yet, but it is assessed strictly: in 2022 Immigration New Zealand approved 319 of these visas and declined 275. There are also firm rules about how you met and when you apply.

For

Marriages arranged by family or a matchmaker

Work rights

None — this is a visitor visa

Visa length

Up to 3 months

Leads to

Partnership work / resident visas after marriage

Who it’s for

Your marriage was arranged by others — your families or a matchmaker — according to the customs of your culture, rather than arranged by the two of you.
You and your partner have met in person as adults (a marriage where you have only ever met online does not qualify).
Your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident.

Eligibility

The marriage was arranged by people who are not the couple — typically your families or a matchmaker — following an identifiable cultural tradition.
You and your partner have met in person as adults; a relationship conducted only online does not meet the requirement.
You apply within the time limit: if you marry in New Zealand, the wedding must happen within 3 months of arriving; if you already married overseas, you apply within 3 months of the wedding.
Your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident who supports the application, and you meet health and character requirements.

How to apply

1Check the marriage is arranged, not chosen. The selection must be made by others — your families or a matchmaker — under a recognised cultural tradition. A couple who chose each other and then sought their families' blessing (a love marriage) does not qualify.
2Gather evidence of the arrangement. Immigration New Zealand expects specific evidence: communications between your families or the matchmaker, message and call records, documents showing public recognition of the arrangement, and independent confirmation it follows your culture's custom. A witness statement on its own is usually not enough.
3Apply within the time limit. Apply so the wedding falls within 3 months of your arrival, or within 3 months of an overseas wedding. Missing this window rarely succeeds.
4Marry, then move to a partnership visa. After you marry and begin living together, apply for a partnership work or resident visa.

Official Immigration New Zealand page (current fees & processing times)

The evidence that decides it

This category is declined often — in 2022, Immigration New Zealand declined 275 of these applications and approved 319. The usual reasons are that the marriage looks couple-led rather than arranged by others, that the couple had not met in person, that the application was out of time, or that the evidence of the cultural arrangement is too thin. The evidential bar is prescriptive, so getting it right the first time matters.

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Common questions

What counts as a culturally arranged marriage?: A marriage where the selection of the bride and groom is made by people other than the couple — usually the families, sometimes a matchmaker — following an identifiable cultural tradition, with the consent of both parties. If the couple chose each other themselves, it does not qualify, even with family support.
Does a love marriage with our families' blessing qualify?: No. The selection has to be arranged by others, not by the couple. A relationship the two of you started and then had your families approve is treated as a love marriage and does not meet this category. A partnership visa or a general visitor visa may fit your situation instead.
Do we have to have met in person?: Yes. You and your partner must have met in person as adults. A marriage where the couple have only ever met online does not satisfy the requirement.
Is there a time limit?: Yes. If you are coming to marry in New Zealand, the wedding must take place within 3 months of your arrival. If you already married overseas, you must apply within 3 months of the wedding. Missing the window rarely succeeds.
Why are these visas often declined?: Commonly because the marriage looks couple-led rather than arranged, the couple had not met in person, the application was out of time, or the cultural arrangement was not well evidenced. In 2022 these visas were declined almost as often as they were approved.

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