Partnership Visitor Visa
A Partnership Visitor Visa lets you come to New Zealand and stay with your partner based on your relationship, without needing a job offer. Like every partnership visa, it requires you to be living together in a genuine and stable relationship — so it suits couples who are already living together but aren't yet eligible for a work or resident visa, for example while you build the time and evidence for the next step. It is a visitor visa, so it does not give you the right to work. If you have never lived together, this visa is not your first step — a general visitor visa is.
Who it’s for
- You are living together with your partner in a genuine and stable relationship.
- You want to be in New Zealand with your partner but don't yet qualify for a work or resident partnership visa.
- You don't need to work while you're here.
Eligibility
- You are living together in a genuine and stable relationship with your supporting partner.
- You can show you'll comply with visitor conditions (including not working).
- You meet health and character requirements.
- You can support yourself or be supported during your stay.
How to apply
- 1Check you meet the living-together requirement. A partnership visitor visa still needs you to be living together. If you have never lived together, a general visitor visa is the first step instead.
- 2Gather relationship evidence. Show you are living together in a genuine and stable relationship, even if you haven't yet reached the 12 months residence needs.
- 3Apply to Immigration New Zealand. Submit your visitor visa application with relationship evidence and health and character documents.
- 4Plan your next visa. Use the time to build the evidence and living-together history for a work or resident visa.
The evidence that decides it
Every partnership visa rises or falls on one thing: showing Immigration New Zealand your relationship is genuine and stable. Start with our guide on what that means and the evidence that proves it.
Genuine & stable relationship guideFree: 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
- Can I work on a partnership visitor visa?
- No. A visitor visa does not allow you to work. If you need to work, look at the partner-of-a-New-Zealander or partner-of-a-worker work visas.
- We have never lived together — is this our first step?
- No. A partnership visitor visa still requires you to be living together in a genuine and stable relationship. If you have never lived together, a general visitor visa is the usual first step, so you can come to New Zealand, start living together, then apply for a partnership visa.
- How long can I stay?
- Visitor visas are granted for a limited period. Check the official INZ page for current durations and conditions.
- Can I switch to a work or resident visa later?
- Yes — many partners move from a visitor visa to a work and then resident visa as they become eligible.
Get help with your partnership visitor visa
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