New Zealand is an ideal place to make a forever home. If you hold a Resident Visa in New Zealand, the country offers straightforward pathways for your spouse to also become a resident. The New Zealand New Zealand Spouse or Partner Visa for Residency in 2024 allows them to live, study or work in the country. The great thing about this visa is that spouses can also include their children under 24 in the application.
This visa scheme provides a wonderful opportunity for families to build a life together in the picturesque landscapes of New Zealand. The welcoming communities, high standard of living, and excellent education and healthcare systems make it a highly desirable destination for settling down. With the New Zealand Spouse or Partner Visa for Residency in 2024, loved ones can enjoy the benefits of living in this beautiful country and contribute to its vibrant and diverse society. Whether it’s exploring the stunning natural wonders, immersing in the rich Maori culture, or simply relishing the relaxed Kiwi lifestyle, New Zealand offers a perfect setting for creating lasting memories with your nearest and dearest.
Other than the New Zealand Spouse Resident Visa, New Zealand residents have additional Visitor Visa options available to bring their spouses to the country. This allows them to experience New Zealand and enjoy the numerous advantages of living in this tranquil and prosperous nation.
If you plan on applying for a New Zealand Spouse or Partner Visa for Residency in 2024, it is essential to apply through a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA). LIAs have the required knowledge and authorization concerning New Zealand visas and are well-versed in Immigration New Zealand regulations. For support with your New Zealand partner resident visa application, you can contact West Highlander. Ms. Parwinder Kaur, the Director, is an LIA and an experienced New Zealand Visa consultant.
This article has been developed under her supervision and it contains all the information regarding New Zealand Spouse Resident Visa, requirements, process, cost, processing time as well as information on New Zealand Visitor Visa of Partner of New Zealand Residents and its requirements.
New Zealand Spouse or Partner Visa for Residency in 2024
The spouse of a New Zealand Resident Visa holder is eligible to apply for Residency in New Zealand, enabling them to live, study, or work in the country indefinitely. Subsequently, the resident visa holders can also apply for Permanent Residence in New Zealand.
New Zealand Spouse Resident Visa Requirements
Here are the requirements and documentation that the applicant needs to fulfil in order to get a New Zealand Spouse Resident Visa. The requirements include identity, health, character, relationship proofs, partner’s details, etc.
Identity: to prove their identity the applicants need to submit an acceptable photo, a copy of their passport and a copy of their full birth certificate.
Health Certificate: Applicants need to submit a health certificate to prove that they are in good health. The health certificate includes a chest x-ray and a medical examination.
Character Certificate: To make sure that the applicant is of good character, they need to provide a Police Clearance Certificate, also known as PCC.
Partner’s Immigration Status: the partner of the applicant must be a citizen or resident of New Zealand. To prove that they can provide a copy of their passport.
Partner’s Residence: The partner with New Zealand Residency must prove that they live in New Zealand. There is a range of documents which prove this like:
- Bills or letters addressed to them
- Records of employment
- Records of tax
- Mortgage, or utility supply agreements
Partner’s Character: The partner must also meet the character requirements and provide a Police Clearance Certificate to prove that he or she is of good character.
Partner’s Eligibility to Support Application: The applicant’s partner in New Zealand must meet the eligibility criteria to assist with their visa application. The supporting partner should not have sponsored more than one previous partner and should not have sponsored any partner within the last five years.
Relationship with Partner: The applicant must be living with their partner for 12 months or more. You need to provide evidence that your relationship is genuine and stable. To prove that you can provide a range of documents, including financial interdependence documents, social recognition of the relationship, etc.
New Zealand Spouse Resident Visa Process
There are numerous steps involved in the process of a New Zealand Spouse or Partner Visa for Residency in 2024. Here are the steps involved in the process:
Step 1- Partner’s support for application: The first step of the application process is for your partner to fill out a form- Partnership Support Form for Residence.
Step 2- Apply for Visa Online: Here applicants need to upload all the documents along with the form filled out by their partner. Applicants also need to submit the immigration fees at this step.
Step 3- Wait for visa decision: the processing time for a New Zealand spouse resident visa is within 10 months.
Step 4- Travel to New Zealand: If your visa has been approved, you have 12 months to travel to New Zealand. Following the approval of the resident visa, there are 2 years of travel conditions starting from your initial arrival in New Zealand, after which the visa will expire. Subsequently, applicants can seek a Permanent Resident Visa.
New Zealand Spouse Resident Visa Cost
The immigration cost for the New Zealand Spouse Resident Visa is NZ $3,610, which is approximately 1 lakh and 85 thousand Indian Rupees.
New Zealand Spouse Resident Visa Processing Time
The processing time of the application process is within 10 months. The applicants can also visit New Zealand on a visitor visa if they want to be with their partner.
New Zealand Spouse Resident Visa with Children Requirements
If you are applying for a New Zealand Spouse Resident visa, you have the option to include your dependent children in the application. To do so, you must these meet specific requirements:
- Age: the children must be below 24 years old.
- The children must be single and must not have any children of their own.
- The applicant must be a parent or legal guardian of the children.
- Identity: a valid passport
- Health: health certificate to prove that they are in good health.
- Character: PCC to prove good character of children
- If they are between 21 to 24 age then they must be financially dependent on an adult.
- If the children are below 15 then the applicant must have legal right to bring dependent children to New Zealand and remove them from their home country.
Other Options for Partners of New Zealand Resident
While waiting for a New Zealand Resident Visa the applicants can still live in New Zealand with their spouse. There are options for visitor visas for partners even if the partner is newly married culturally. These options are only for partners of New Zealand Resident Visa holders.
Partner Visitor Visa: the partner of New Zealand citizens or resident can visit their partner in New Zealand on a visitor visa. They can stay in New Zealand for up to 2 years. On this visa, the applicants cannot work but they can study for up to 3 months.
- Stay Duration: Maximum 2 years
- Study: Can study for up to 3 months.
- Work: Cannot work
- Processing Time: Within 3 months
- Cost: Immigration Fee is NZ $211, which is 11,770 INR.
- Funds: The applicants are required to have funds to support themselves in New Zealand or an acceptable sponsor to support them. The required fund is NZ $1000 per month, which is approx. 51,000 INR. To prove that you have funds to support your stay in New Zealand you need to provide documents like bank statements, drafts, etc. Applicants must also have enough funds for travel expenses when leaving New Zealand.
Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa: the partner of a New Zealand citizen can remain in New Zealand for a maximum of three months, whether they are planning to have a culturally arranged marriage in New Zealand or have already had one outside the country. This marriage must be arranged by a third party, not the partners themselves.
- Stay Duration: Maximum 3 months.
- Processing Time: Within 5 weeks.
- Cost: Immigration Fee is NZ $246, which is 12, 556 INR.
- Funds: The applicants are required to have funds to support themselves in New Zealand or an acceptable sponsor to support them. The required fund is NZ $1000 per month, which is approx. 51,000 INR. To prove that you have funds to support your stay in New Zealand you need to provide documents like bank statements, drafts, etc. The required funds for three months are around 1,53,000 INR. Applicants are also required to have sufficient funds for their travel expenses when departing from New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to get a partner of NZ resident visa?
The processing time for a New Zealand Partner Resident Visa is within 10 months.
Do you get permanent residency if you marry a New Zealander?
Yes, the applicants can apply for permanent residency if they have been living with their partner for at least 5 years. If applicants do not fulfil this living together requirement then they can apply for a spouse Resident Visa.
How much does a New Zealand partner visa cost?
The immigration fee for a New Zealand Partner visa for residency is NZ $3,610, which is around 1,84,250 INR.
Is IELTS required for a New Zealand spouse visa?
No, there is no requirement for IELTS for a New Zealand Spouse Visa.
Does New Zealand accept spouse visa?
You are eligible to apply for a New Zealand spouse visa if your partner holds a student, work, or resident visa in New Zealand. Depending on your partner’s visa type, you can apply for a visitor, work, or resident visa. If your partner is studying, your visa type is determined by their course, if they are working, it is based on their income, and if they are a resident, your visa type is influenced by your relationship status for potential residency or permanent residence in New Zealand.
Consult West Highlander
West Highlander, a leading New Zealand Visa consultancy in Chandigarh, offers comprehensive assistance for obtaining New Zealand spouse or partner residency visas. With over 18 years of experience since 2005, we guide applicants through the visa process, ensuring a high success rate. Ms. Parwinder Kaur, an LIA Agent and the director at West Highlander is authorized to support partners relocating to New Zealand. If you have any questions or require expert assistance with your New Zealand spouse or partner residency visa application, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are here to help you turn your dream of living in New Zealand with your loved one into a reality. Let West Highlander be your trusted partner on this exciting journey towards a new chapter in your life.