What counts as a culturally arranged marriage?

A marriage arranged according to the identifiable traditions and customs of your culture, typically involving families or a community, rather than a marriage the couple arranged entirely themselves.

Can I work on this visa?

No — it's a visitor visa to come to New Zealand to marry. Work and resident options come after the marriage.

Why are these visas often declined?

Commonly because the cultural arrangement isn't clearly established, or Immigration New Zealand isn't satisfied the intended relationship is genuine. Careful, well-evidenced applications matter here more than most.

What happens after we marry?

Once married and living together, you can apply for a partnership-based work or resident visa.

Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa

The Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa lets you come to New Zealand to marry your partner where the marriage has been arranged according to the traditions of your culture. It is for couples who are not yet living together because the marriage hasn't happened yet. Once you're married and living together, you can move on to partnership-based work or resident visas. Because this category turns on cultural authenticity and a credible arrangement, evidence is assessed carefully.

For

Couples in a culturally arranged marriage

Work rights

None — this is a visitor visa

Leads to

Partnership work / resident visas after marriage

Assessed on

The authenticity of the cultural arrangement

Who it’s for

Your marriage has been arranged through the customs of your culture.
You are not yet married or living together, so a normal partnership visa doesn't fit yet.
Your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident.

Eligibility

The marriage has been arranged according to the identifiable traditions of your culture.
You and your partner are not prohibited from marrying.
Your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident who supports the application.
You meet health and character requirements.

How to apply

1Confirm the arrangement is culturally recognised. Be ready to explain and evidence how the marriage was arranged within your culture's traditions.
2Gather supporting evidence. Statements and documents from family and community can help establish the cultural arrangement.
3Apply to Immigration New Zealand. Submit the culturally arranged marriage visitor visa application with your evidence.
4Marry and 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 more often than most, usually because the cultural arrangement or the genuineness of the intended relationship isn't clearly evidenced. Strong, specific evidence — and getting it right the first time — matters.

Genuine & stable relationship guide

Free: Relationship evidence checklist

The exact documents that show your relationship is genuine and stable — emailed to you, with a copy shown on screen.

Common questions

What counts as a culturally arranged marriage?: A marriage arranged according to the identifiable traditions and customs of your culture, typically involving families or a community, rather than a marriage the couple arranged entirely themselves.
Can I work on this visa?: No — it's a visitor visa to come to New Zealand to marry. Work and resident options come after the marriage.
Why are these visas often declined?: Commonly because the cultural arrangement isn't clearly established, or Immigration New Zealand isn't satisfied the intended relationship is genuine. Careful, well-evidenced applications matter here more than most.
What happens after we marry?: Once married and living together, you can apply for a partnership-based work or resident visa.

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