What counts as a genuine and stable relationship
Every New Zealand partnership visa turns on one question: is your relationship genuine and stable? Immigration New Zealand grants partnership visas only where it is satisfied your relationship is genuine — entered into with the intention of being maintained long-term and exclusively — and stable — likely to endure. You also generally need to be living together. Everything else in a partnership application is really evidence for those two findings.
Reviewed by Michael Yoon, Immigration Lawyer (MyLaw) · Last reviewed 22 June 2026
What "genuine and stable" actually means
A relationship is genuine if you entered into it intending to maintain it on a long-term and exclusive basis. It is stable if it is likely to continue. Immigration New Zealand does not judge whether yours is a "good" relationship — it asks whether it is real and lasting, and whether the evidence backs that up.
What Immigration New Zealand looks at
Officers weigh a range of factors together, rather than ticking a single box. The main ones are:
- How long you have been together.
- Whether you live together, and the nature and extent of that shared home.
- Financial interdependence — shared accounts, bills, support and arrangements.
- Shared property and possessions you own or use together.
- Your commitment to a shared life, including future plans.
- Children of the relationship, if any.
- How the relationship is recognised by family, friends and the wider community.
Living together
Living together is central. For most partnership visas you must be living together, or able to credibly explain a temporary period apart. For the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa you generally need to show at least 12 months living together in a genuine and stable relationship.
The evidence that proves it
Strong applications tell a consistent story across several independent sources. Typically that includes:
- Relationship documents — marriage or civil union certificate, and birth certificates of any children.
- Evidence of living together — joint tenancy or mortgage, bills and mail addressed to both of you at the same address.
- Shared finances — joint bank accounts, shared assets or liabilities, evidence of financial support.
- A relationship timeline tying the history together with dates.
- Photos over time, communication records, and travel together.
- Statutory declarations from people who know you as a couple.
Common mistakes
The most common reason partnership applications struggle is thin or inconsistent evidence — not an unconvincing relationship. Gaps in the timeline, a single name on every bill, or evidence that all dates from the weeks before you applied can all raise questions. Build your evidence across the whole life of the relationship, from independent sources, and make the story easy to follow.
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
- Do we have to be married?
- No. Marriage, civil union and de facto relationships are all recognised. What matters is that the relationship is genuine and stable and that you live together.
- How long do we need to have been together?
- There is no single minimum for every visa, but residence generally requires at least 12 months living together. For work and visitor partnership visas you must still show the relationship is genuine and stable.
- We've spent time apart — is that a problem?
- Not automatically. You need to explain any time apart and show the relationship stayed genuine and stable throughout. Consistent evidence across the period is key.
This page is general information, not immigration or legal advice. For advice on your situation, talk to MyLaw. Reading it does not create a solicitor–client relationship.