What is a genuine and stable relationship for immigration?
Party A and Party B are in a relationship and want to apply for a partnership-based visa so they can live together in New Zealand. Before they start, they keep seeing the phrase "genuine and stable relationship" in Immigration New Zealand's requirements and want to understand exactly what it means and how it is assessed.
A genuine and stable relationship is the heart of every partnership visa, and it has two parts:
- Genuine: your relationship is real and exclusive, intended to be maintained long-term.
- Stable: it is likely to endure, with a sense of permanence and commitment rather than being new or casual.
Immigration New Zealand weighs the whole picture: how long you have been together, whether you live together, financial and emotional support, whether family and friends know about your relationship, and your shared plans. Living together carries particular weight.
There is no single checklist that guarantees approval, which is why how you present your relationship matters. Read our genuine and stable relationship guide, and MyLaw can review how well your evidence meets the test.
Answered by Michael Yoon, Immigration Lawyer, MyLaw.
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This is general information, not advice on your situation, and reading it does not create a solicitor-client relationship. For advice on your case, talk to MyLaw.