Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
| Your partner | A New Zealand citizen or resident. If their residence comes through an Australian passport, Australian residence or a resident return visa, they must live in New Zealand. |
|---|---|
| Relationship | Genuine and stable, living together for at least 12 months after you both turned 18 |
| Age | Both at least 18 |
| Health and character | Chest X-ray and medical (under 3 months old); police certificates from countries you're a citizen of or lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years (under 6 months old) |
| Partner's form | Partnership Support Form for Residence (INZ 1178) |
| Cost | From NZD $5,360 |
| Processing | 80% decided within 7 months |
| What you get | Live, work and study indefinitely. Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after 2 years. |
If you and a New Zealand citizen partner have lived together overseas for at least 5 years, you may be granted a Permanent Resident Visa straight away.
Proving your relationship
INZ looks at evidence such as:
- Shared finances: joint bank accounts, shared bills, a joint lease or mortgage
- Time together: travel records, photos across the relationship, shared address history
- Communication when apart
- Recognition by others: letters from family and friends, being known as a couple
Evidence from before you were both 18 doesn't count. INZ has an optional partnership timeline and evidence checklist that helps you organise it.
Your partner's sponsorship limits
- They can't have supported a successful resident visa application in the past 5 years.
- They can't have supported more than one successful resident visa application in total.
- They can't be liable for deportation.
Parent Boost Visitor Visa
A long-stay visitor visa for parents of New Zealand citizens and residents. It's temporary and doesn't lead to residence.
| Who can apply | Parents with at least one adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident, applying from outside New Zealand, with no dependent children |
|---|---|
| Length | Up to 5 years, multiple entries, no limit on each visit |
| Third-year check | Leave New Zealand during year 3 for a health and insurance check (NZD $325, or $240 if eligible for the reduced fee) |
| How many | Up to 2 Parent Boost visas in total; a second means leaving and reapplying |
| Health | Higher standard than other visitor visas; no medical waiver |
| Cost | From NZD $3,100 |
| Processing | About 4 months |
Parent Boost: money and insurance
Show you can support yourself, one of three ways
| Option | One parent | With a partner |
|---|---|---|
| Your own annual income | NZD $33,663.24 | NZD $51,182.56 |
| Your own funds (not gifted or borrowed) | NZD $170,000 | NZD $260,000 |
| Sponsor income (single sponsor / joint sponsors) | NZD $72,800 / NZD $109,200 combined, for one parent | |
Sponsors must have met the income in 2 of the last 3 tax years and earn it now. Each additional parent adds half the median wage. Figures update each April.
Insurance minimums
- NZD $250,000 emergency medical care
- NZD $100,000 cancer care
- NZD $250,000 repatriation
- NZD $50,000 return of remains
The insurer must be rated A (strong) or equivalent. Don't buy the policy until your application is approved in principle.
Common mistakes
- Applying for partner residence before you've lived together for 12 months.
- Sending lots of photos but little evidence of shared finances or a shared home.
- Buying Parent Boost insurance before approval in principle.
- Using a sponsor whose income dipped below the threshold in two of the last three tax years.
Sources
- Immigration New Zealand: Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
- Immigration New Zealand: Parent Boost Visitor Visa
This is general information, not immigration advice. For advice on your situation, talk to a licensed immigration adviser.