New Zealand is considered a top choice among international students as a study destination. Additionally, married students can bring their family members with them when studying in New Zealand, providing even more advantages. The visa is valid for the same period as the partner’s visa and can be extended if the partner’s visa is extended. The New Zealand Spouse Visa is a great option for couples who want to experience living in New Zealand together.
When applying for a New Zealand spouse visa, it’s important to keep in mind that a LIA Licensed Immigration Adviser should handle your application. This is because LIAs have the necessary authority and expertise to assist partner visa applicants in New Zealand. They stay up-to-date with the latest Immigration New Zealand policies. If you’re planning to apply for a New Zealand spouse visa, reach out to West Highlander. The Director, Ms. Parwinder Kaur, is an experienced LIA Licensed Immigration Adviser who can guide you through the process.
This article contains all the information on the New Zealand Spouse Visa Process & Requirements in 2024, including the types of New Zealand Spouse Visa and requirements.
Types of New Zealand Spouse Visa
The spouse of New Zealand Visa holder can apply for New Zealand Spouse Visa, which can be either a visitor visa or a work visa, depending on the type of visa your spouse is on in New Zealand.
New Zealand Student Visa: the spouse of New Zealand Student Visa holders can apply for a New Zealand Partnership-based Work Visa or Spouse Visitor Visa depending on the program your spouse is enrolled in.
New Zealand Residence Visa: The spouse of the New Zealand Residence Visa can apply for a Partner of New Zealand Resident Visa. This visa type allows spouses to work, study and stay in New Zealand.
Accredited Employer Work Visa New Zealand (AEWV): The partner of this visa holder can get a work visa or visitor visa depending on the income and work type of your spouse.
Based on these categories you can apply for a New Zealand spouse visa. Additionally, you will need to meet certain health and character requirements and provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in New Zealand. The application process can be complex, so it’s recommended that you seek professional advice and assistance to ensure that your application is complete and accurate.
New Zealand Spouse Visa Requirements in 2024:
There are some of the requirements which are similar for all types of New Zealand Spouse Visa categories. These requirements prove that your relationship with your spouse is stable and genuine.
Living Together Condition: One of the main requirements for obtaining a New Zealand Spouse Visa is living with your partner for a certain amount of time. This stipulation serves as evidence that your relationship is genuine.
Genuine Relationship: Living together may not be the only New Zealand Spouse Visa requirement to prove a genuine relationship. They may also request additional evidence to prove the authenticity of your relationship, such as photos, messages, and documents that demonstrate your commitment to one another.
Social Recognition of Relationship: To prove that your relationship is socially recognized, you can attach pictures of social gatherings and events you attended as a couple.
Marriage Certificate: It is one of the important documents that you need to attach to your New Zealand Spouse Visa application.
Marriage Photographs: The photographs of marriage and, the different functions of marriage involving family and friends make your relationship seem stable and genuine.
Financial Inter-dependence: The couple must be financially interdependent on each other. This can be proven by bank statements, joint accounts, etc.
Valid Visa of Partner in New Zealand: Your partner in New Zealand must be on a valid visa. This visa can be a student visa, work visa or permanent residence.
Identity Proof: the applicant needs to submit an identity proof along with the application. Here the identity proof is your Passport. It also shows that you have a valid passport and you do not have any adverse immigration history.
Health Certificate: One of the requirements of a New Zealand Spouse Visa is that you must be in good health and prove that you can submit a health certificate along with the application package.
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): Good character is a compulsory requirement for a spouse visa, for this, you are required to submit a PCC Certificate.
Your Partner is Eligible Sponsor: Another requirement is that your partner in New Zealand must be eligible to sponsor the spouse visa application. To be an eligible sponsor, your partner must have only sponsored 1 partner in the last 5 years at the time of New Zealand spouse visa application.
Other requirements may include your academic or work visa documents, like certificates, degrees, experience letters, etc.
New Zealand Student Dependent Visa
The spouse of a New Zealand Student Visa can apply for a work visa or a visitor visa depending on the course and level of course of your spouse in New Zealand.
Education in New Zealand is divided into levels from 1 to 10 according to the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).
If your partner in New Zealand is enrolled in a Level 9 or above program then you are eligible for a New Zealand Partnership-based Work Visa. The Level 9 programs are Master’s Programs, which can be either masters by research or masters by coursework. The Level 10 program is a doctoral degree (Ph.D.).
If your spouse is pursuing a program which is below Level 9 but on the green list, then you can still apply for Work Visa. Some of the Green List programs are:
- New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil) Level 6
- New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical) Level 6
- New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Electronics) Level 6
- New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Electrical) Level 6
- New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6)
- Graduate Diploma in Engineering Technology Level 7
- Graduate Diploma in Construction Project Management Level 7
- Graduate Diploma in Construction Level 7
- Graduate Diploma in Highway Engineering Level 7
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) Level 7
If the program of your spouse is below Level 9 and not on the green list then you can apply for New Zealand Visitor Visa.
Partner of New Zealand Resident Visa
If your partner is in New Zealand on a Resident visa then you can also apply for a Permanent Residence visa in New Zealand. This means that you can live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely. Additionally, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship after a certain period of time has passed. Obtaining a Permanent Residence visa can be a great opportunity to build a new life in New Zealand with your partner.
Accredited Employer Work Visa New Zealand (AEWV)
If your spouse is in New Zealand on an AEWV then you are eligible for an open work visa or work visa with conditions depending on the wage of your spouse in New Zealand.
For Open Work Visa: The open work visa means a work visa without any conditions attached to it, which means there is no pay or employer requirement. The spouse can work for any employer, there is no compulsion to work for only an accredited employer or earn a certain salary. For applying for a New Zealand Open Work Visa, your spouse in New Zealand must meet any one of these two conditions:
The first condition is that if the job role of your spouse is not on the green list then they must be earning twice the current median wage rate. Twice the Current Median Wage Rate means having a salary two times the median wage rate.
The second condition is that if your role is on the green list and you fulfil the green list requirements then you must be earning at least the median wage, then you may support the open work visa for a dependent spouse.
For Work Visa with Conditions: This visa means that the work visa of the spouse is not open and there are certain requirements which are attached to the visa.
The first condition is that the spouse can only work for an accredited employer in New Zealand.
The second requirement is that he or she must earn at least a median wage while in New Zealand.
Applicants must make sure that they fulfil these requirements to make sure that there is no issue with their work visa.
For this visa, the AEWV holder spouse must be earning at least the median wage but less than twice the median wage.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is IELTS required for a New Zealand spouse visa?
No, to apply for a New Zealand spouse visa, IELTS is not a requirement that a spouse needs to fulfil. However, it is recommended to learn English before arriving in New Zealand to communicate better with people there and to make the transition easier.
How long does it take to get a partner visa for New Zealand?
The New Zealand spouse visa processing time is around 6 to 8 weeks for all categories.
What is proof of a genuine relationship in NZ?
To prove that your relationship with your spouse is genuine and stable, you can submit various documents. One of the important requirements is living together condition and other supporting documents are a marriage certificate, marriage photographs, and pictures of public gatherings you attended as a couple. Financial interdependence documents like bank accounts and bank statements.
Can I apply for a spouse visa from India?
Yes! Applicants can easily apply for a New Zealand Spouse Visa from India. To ensure a high visa success rate and hassle-free process, contact West Highlander. We are the most trusted New Zealand visa consultants based in Chandigarh. Our director, Ms Parwinder Kaur is an experienced LIA, who can guide you step by step throughout the process.
How long is a partner visa?
The validity of the spouse visa is usually the same as the visa of the sponsoring spouse. For Example: If your spouse is on a student visa for the next three years (until 2026), then your work visa or visitor visa for New Zealand will also expire at the same time.