New Zealand has many attractions for international students like the wonderful culture and their educational institutions. Many Indians are increasingly choosing to study in New Zealand as it is home to quite many good universities. However, for many, studying abroad is not just about the individual experience; it’s also about the entire family adapting to a new life. One crucial aspect of this transition is understanding visa options for dependent spouses. This is another reason why New Zealand is so popular is that students who are married and studying certain courses are eligible to sponsor the work visa of their dependent spouse. Among the many levels of degrees they can do, one among them is a masters degree. In this blog, we will look at the New Zealand work visa for spouses of masters students.
The partner of a student work visa allows the dependent spouse of an international student to work in New Zealand while their partner is studying. This visa is crucial for families who wish to maintain financial stability and contribute to the household income. There are specific criteria that must be met for a spouse to qualify for this visa. The primary requirements include proof of a genuine and stable relationship with the student, who must be holding a valid New Zealand student visa. The application process involves providing substantial documentation, such as a marriage certificate, proof of the student’s enrollment and financial status, and evidence of the relationship’s authenticity.
New Zealand Student Spouse Visa Requirements
In order to be eligible to sponsor your spouse’s New Zealand work visa as a student you first need to possess a valid New Zealand study visa. If you are thinking of applying for a New Zealand partner of a student work visa, that means you already have a New Zealand student visa. This is the first prerequisite. Secondly when it comes to educational requirements, among them a masters degree is also there. That means if you are enrolled in masters program in New Zealand, you are eligible to be a sponsor for the work visa of your dependent spouse. You can be enrolled in any Level 9 masters program in New Zealand be it masters by research or masters by coursework. Some of the masters programs in New Zealand are Master of Engineering, Master of IT, Master of Hospitality, Master of Nursing, Master of Health Science, and more. It is to be noted that you can apply for this visa during the process of completing your course, and you would not be eligible as a sponsor if you have already completed the masters program. This due to the fact that after your degree in New Zealand is complete, your New Zealand study visa duration is also over and you cannot apply to be a sponsor of your partner’s work visa.
The next requirement is a genuine relationship between you and your spouse. By partnership, they mean a legal union or marriage. Your relationship must fulfill the test as per Immigration New Zealand. Your relationship must be publicly recognized and it must be socially recognized. People must know that you are a couple in the society. There are other aspects of the relationship which the applicants must prove like financial interdependence and the household duties you may share as a couple. To establish the authenticity of your relationship for visa purposes, you may need to provide various forms of documentation. These include marriage or civil union certificates and birth certificates if you have children together. Evidence of shared financial responsibilities, such as joint bank accounts, joint ownership of assets, or shared credit cards and purchase agreements for items like home appliances, can also be important. Additionally, you might need to present any mutually agreed financial arrangements between you and your dependent spouse. Personal evidence such as cards, letters, or emails exchanged between you, chat records, and communication logs, along with social media posts or photos featuring both of you, can further support your case. Letters of support from individuals who recognize and attest to your partnership can also be valuable in proving the genuineness of your relationship.
Beyond this, you also have to prove that you and your spouse have been living together. This is another major requirement that both of you need to meet to apply for a New Zealand partner of a student work visa. Living together typically involves residing at the same address as your spouse. To prove that you are cohabiting, you might present evidence such as joint ownership or a shared mortgage on a residential property, a joint rental agreement or receipts, and shared utility accounts like electricity or phone bills. Additionally, joint or individual mail addressed to both of you at the same address can support your claim. If you and your dependent spouse have been living separately at times, it is important to provide details about this, including the reasons for it, the duration, and how you maintained communication during the period you were apart. This information helps the immigration authorities evaluate whether the reasons for your separation were genuine and compelling.
Both of you also have to meet the character requirements of New Zealand. The police certificate is required to show that both of you have been law-abiding citizens and do not have any pending criminal cases against you. Your spouse also has to undergo health checks to meet the health requirements of the country. In terms of fund requirements, you who has been living in New Zealand would have to show an additional amount of NZD 4200 as living costs as this represents that you have enough money to sustain you and your partner in New Zealand.
New Zealand Work Visa for Spouses Conditions
With this visa, your spouse can either choose to work or even study in New Zealand. The study period that is allowed under this visa is only 3 months. In terms of employment, there are no restrictions as such. Your spouse even has the option of coming to New Zealand and then finding work, as having a job offer prior is not needed for applying for this visa. Your spouse is eligible for any job as long as it is not illegal and that they have any occupational registration that is usually required in order to be able to work in New Zealand.
Holding a work visa provides numerous benefits. It not only supports the financial stability of the family but also enhances the overall experience of living in New Zealand. The opportunity for the spouse to work can lead to professional growth and integration into New Zealand’s workforce, which can be valuable for future career prospects. Additionally, it allows the family to enjoy a better quality of life and immerse themselves more fully in the New Zealand experience.
West Highlander Immigration – Best New Zealand Spouse Visa Consultants
Ms. Parwinder Kaur, a Licensed Immigration Advisor at West Highlander Immigration in Chandigarh can help you with your application for a New Zealand spouse visa if you are the working partner of a New Zealand student visa holder. West Highlander Immigration has a strong track record of success in securing visa approvals and handling spouse visa applications. At West Highlander, we meticulously review all aspects of your relationship and the necessary requirements with you. Based on this thorough discussion, we provide guidance on the documentation needed to support your application effectively.