New Zealand is gradually becoming one of the most known destinations for Indian students and their higher studies. There may be cases where you would like to have your family accompany you as well, say your wife or partner who also wants to be able to support you financially while working there. Hence one of the most common queries that we get is whether a spouse can apply for a dependent work visa if they study bachelors degree in New Zealand. In simple terms, yes it is possible. However, there are certain conditions that you need to meet and that is what we will explore in this blog. These are the things that we will cover in this blog:
- Partner of a Student Work Visa
- Requirements for a bachelors student to support a dependent spouse work visa
- Qualifications necessary for the dependent partner of student work visa
Dependent partner of a Student Work Visa New Zealand
New Zealand allows the dependent partners of international students to come and stay in New Zealand. The dependent partner is also allowed to join some kind of employment with this visa. This visa gives you an amazing chance for the dependent spouse of a student to either study there for a maximum time of three months or look for employment. The dependent spouse does not need to have a job offer in Germany when they apply for this visa and can go to Germany and look for work. The validity of this visa would be as long as their spouse has a valid student visa for New Zealand.
Requirements for a Bachelors Student in New Zealand for Supporting a Dependent Spouse Work Visa
If you are a bachelors student in New Zealand and want your dependent spouse to come there and work, these are the conditions you should meet:
Degree Requirements
There are two types of bachelors degrees in New Zealand:
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Level 7 – Bachelors Degree
This is a three-year undergraduate degree and falls on level 7 of the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).
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Level 8 – Bachelors Honours Degree
A level 8 degree according to the NZQCF is a four-year undergraduate degree program with honours.
So in order to be eligible to support your dependent spouse’s work visa, your level 7 and level 8 bachelors degree should fall under:
New Zealand’s Green List
If your bachelors degree is listed as a requirement on the Green List, then you can support your dependent partner’s work visa. The Green List includes a list of job rules which have a shortage of skilled workers in New Zealand. So if your degree would eventually lead to employment under one of the Green List categories, then you can bring your dependent spouse on a work visa.
Degrees Eligible for Post-Study Work Visa in New Zealand
The bachelor degrees in Level 7 and Level 8 are eligible for post-study work visas in New Zealand. The duration of the post-study work visa is three years for bachelors in New Zealand.
Proof of Genuine Relationship between You and Your Spouse
You should have evidence to show that you are your spouse have a real relationship. The proofs that you would have to submit include photos of both of you attending social events together, your marriage certificate, and shared bank account statements. They would also need proof that you have been living together for long.
Character Certificate
You have to get police clearance from any country that you have been living in. This is needed so that the authorities know that you do not have any criminal cases against you, which would hinder you from being able to support your dependent spouse’s work visa for New Zealand.
Qualifications needed for the Dependent Partner of Student Work Visa
Now that we have cleared all requirements your partner on a New Zealand student visa must meet, let us look at the qualifications you would need to be eligible for this visa:
Identification Proof
You would need to have a valid passport and passport-sized photographs which would prove your citizenship to India and hence would be considered as your identity proof.
Health Requirements
An excellent health is one of the main requirements to be eligible for a dependent partner of a student work visa in New Zealand. Declare any prior long-term health issues you may have and submit a medical certificate. You would also need to have health insurance.
Good Character Certificate
Just like your spouse, you would also need a police clearance form to make sure that you are not a law-breaking citizen.
Monetary Requirements
You would need to have at least NZD 4200 in your bank account as a living cost for staying in New Zealand. The proofs would include submitting your bank statement, etc.
Benefits of New Zealand Dependent Partner of a Student Work Visa
While one spouse is pursuing their education, and the other dependent partner accompanies them on a work visa, there are many benefits:
Economic Stability
If one spouse has a continued source of income, this would mean that the spouse who is still studying can concentrate on their education without worrying about money. Even if the bachelors student earns through some part-time work, they have the choice of either saving that money or spending it, which would not have been the case had the other spouse was not employed in New Zealand.
Career Opportunities
The spouse who comes to New Zealand on a dependent partner of a student work visa will have so many opportunities for employment because this visa has no restrictions on the kind of work they do. They can become a salaried employee or choose to start their own company. Either way, they will have a lot of variety in terms of the employment they want to do.
General Well-Being
New Zealand provides a good standard of living. If the couple already has children or plans to have somebody, their kids will also have the advantage of an excellent academic opportunity, if they decide to settle down in New Zealand.
West Highlander Immigration – Trusted Consultants for New Zealand Visa
A Licensed Immigration Advisor at West Highlander Immigration, Chandigarh can assist you in applying for a New Zealand spouse visa as a working partner of a student visa holder. When it comes to obtaining approval for their clients’ visas and filing for spouse visas, West Highlander Immigration has an excellent success rate. At West Highlander, we go over every detail of the relationship and other requirements in great detail with the applicant. Based on this discussion, we then advise them on the paperwork needed to support their application.