PARTNERSHIP · NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS & RESIDENTS
Your life together.
Your next step in New Zealand.
Partnership work or residence? Understand the living-together requirements before you plan your application.
There is no automatic three-month approval rule. A work visa may be possible before 12 months; partnership residence requires at least 12 months living together. Both require a genuine, stable partnership and other eligibility checks.
On this page
Which pathway are you considering?
| Partner of a New Zealander | Work visa | Resident visa |
|---|---|---|
| Living together | Less than 12 months can qualify | At least 12 months when applying |
| What matters | Your shared life, relationship evidence and an eligible supporting partner | |
| Other checks | Health, character and the requirements of the chosen visa | |
Check more than the length of your relationship
Count the time you have shared a home as a couple, rather than the time since you started dating. Twelve months of dating is not necessarily twelve months of living together.
For the work visa, INZ currently provides for a one-year visa where you have lived together for less than 12 months, with further applications possible up to three years in total. At 12 months or more, the visa can be granted for up to three years. These are visa durations, not promises of approval.
Your supporting partner’s previous involvement in residence applications matters, including applications where they were themselves supported by a partner. Check their eligibility before choosing a pathway. Work visa applicants also need sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
A practical evidence checklist
- Shared home: tenancy or ownership records, household bills and mail showing each partner at the same address over time. Documents do not all need to be jointly addressed.
- Shared responsibilities: records of how you actually pay household costs, manage money or care for children together, where applicable.
- Relationship context: a selection of dated photos, communications and letters from people who know you as a couple. Explain any periods apart and how you stayed in contact.
- Identity and application documents: check passports, your partner’s NZ status, the correct partner support form, and any required medical, police and translation documents for the visa you choose.
Use this as an organising checklist, not a requirement to submit every example. Label files by date and document type, and keep a simple index so the evidence is easy to follow.
Mistakes to avoid when preparing
- Do not confuse visits or holidays together with sharing a home. INZ distinguishes these from living together as partners.
- Do not submit a large collection without checking dates and addresses. Make a timeline first, compare it with your documents, and explain any differences honestly.
- Do not assume a residence application extends your current temporary visa or gives you work rights. Check your existing visa conditions and arrange timely advice before it expires.
Questions couples often ask
We are married. Do we still need evidence?
Yes. A marriage certificate does not replace proof of living together in a genuine and stable relationship.
We have lived together for three months. Can we apply?
Three months alone does not establish eligibility. Review the work visa requirements, your supporting partner’s eligibility and the evidence available before deciding.
What if my partner holds a work visa?
This guide does not cover that category. Your partner’s visa and employment conditions can affect the pathway. Tell us their visa type when you enquire.
Before your consultation
Have your current visa type, expiry date, partner’s immigration status and living-together dates ready. These details help us focus the initial conversation.
How Imminz can help
Start with a free 15-minute initial consultation to discuss your circumstances and the help you need. For application support, ask us about pathway advice, reviewing your relationship evidence, preparing the application and responding to INZ requests. We will confirm which work is included in your quote before you engage us.
Our service fees and government application charges are separate. Your quote depends on the agreed work and circumstances; no adviser can guarantee an INZ decision.
Related guides
Explore relevant options; moving between visas is not automatic. Each route has its own requirements.