When a sudden partnership rule change was labelled racist
In 2019 a sudden, unannounced change in how Immigration New Zealand interpreted the partnership rules saw hundreds of applications declined almost overnight. It fell hardest on arranged and cultural marriages, was labelled racist and Eurocentric, and was eventually scrapped. The culturally arranged marriage visitor visa exists today partly because of it.
What happened
- Immigration New Zealand quietly changed its interpretation so that couples in some cultural marriages who could not yet meet the living-together requirement were declined, rather than directed to a general visitor visa.
- Dozens, if not hundreds, of partnership applications were declined, angering the Indian community in particular, and an immigration lawyer called the change racist and 'completely Eurocentric'.
- After public pressure the Prime Minister announced the change would be scrapped, and a culturally arranged marriage visitor visa category was later created.
As reported by Newsroom, 22 October 2019: “Immigration NZ partnership visa policy labelled 'racist'”.
The lesson
Immigration interpretation can shift suddenly, and when it does it often hits couples in cultural and arranged marriages hardest, because their relationships do not fit a narrow template. The living-together requirement is the recurring flashpoint. Knowing which category genuinely fits your marriage, and how the rules are being applied right now, is the difference between a smooth application and being caught by a change you never saw coming.
The visa in this story
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor VisaA visitor visa to come to New Zealand to marry your partner under a culturally arranged marriage, and then apply for partnership-based visas.
Don’t let this be your story
Most partnership visa heartbreak is avoidable with the right advice before you apply. Have a lawyer assess your situation honestly, backed by our money-back guarantee.