Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
The Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa is residence for the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident. Immigration New Zealand describes it this way: “You can live in New Zealand on this visa if you have a partner who is a New Zealand citizen or resident.” It costs from NZD $5,360. INZ publishes a processing time of 80% within 7 months.
Checked against immigration.govt.nz on 2026-09-15
What Immigration New Zealand publishes
- Length of stay
- Live, work and study
- indefinitely
- Cost
- From
- NZD $5360
- Processing time
- 80% within
- 7 months
Copied from the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa page at immigration.govt.nz on 2026-09-15. Figures change without notice.
To apply you must
- have a partner who is a New Zealand citizen or resident
- be living with your partner in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months
- have your visa application supported by your partner
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
INZ’s own wording, unedited.
This visa lets you
- live, work and study in New Zealand
- include your dependent children aged 24 or younger in your visa application
- apply for permanent residence after having this visa for at least 2 years in a row.
INZ’s own wording, unedited.
Where to apply
You apply to Immigration New Zealand, not to us. The Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa page carries the application link, the full requirements and the current fee.
Questions about the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
What does the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa cost?
Immigration New Zealand publishes a cost of NZD $5,360 for this visa, as the "from" figure — the lowest published amount. Medicals, police certificates, translations and any adviser's fee are separate. Checked on 2026-09-15; confirm on the INZ page.
How long does the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa take?
Immigration New Zealand publishes 80% within 7 months for this visa. That is a published average, not a promise about any one application. Checked on 2026-09-15; the current figure is on the INZ page.
Who can apply for the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa?
INZ's own summary is: "You can live in New Zealand on this visa if you have a partner who is a New Zealand citizen or resident." The published criteria are listed above, word for word. Whether any particular person meets them is a question for Immigration New Zealand, or for a licensed immigration adviser or a New Zealand lawyer — not for this site.
Where do I apply?
On Immigration New Zealand's own website. Start at Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa. Applying through this site is not possible: we are an information site and we cannot lodge or handle an application.
Can NZ Visas tell me whether I qualify?
No, and we would be breaking the law if we did. Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, telling somebody how the rules apply to their own immigration matter is licensed work. We republish the published rules and stop there. More on where that line sits.
Sources
- Immigration New Zealand — Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
- Immigration New Zealand — every visa
Read on 2026-09-15. Immigration rules change: if this page and the source disagree, the source is right.
Once you have a decision
Getting the visa is one job; landing here is another. Our settling-in guides cover the IRD number, a bank account, a rental, schools, a doctor and a driver licence — all free, and all separate from anything to do with your visa.