Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
🇳🇿 New Zealand visas · Family
What it is
For partners of New Zealand citizens or residents. Allows open work rights in any legal employment. Can progress toward permanent residence. Partners and dependent children apply separately.
Key facts
- Category
- Family
- Duration
- Up to 3 years (1 year initially if cohabitation less than 12 months, extendable)
- Processing time
- Up to 5 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 3 years
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Indirect route
- Dependants
- Yes
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee
- NZD 1,630
Key requirements
- Have a New Zealand citizen or resident partner eligible to support the application
- Living together in a genuine, stable relationship
- Sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor
- Good health and character
- Genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand
- Partner must not have supported more than one successful residence application in the past 5 years
Working on this visa
Open work rights (work in New Zealand, not tied to a specific employer)
Bringing family
Can include dependent children.
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 26 July 2026.