New Zealand Government Implements changes  to Partner of a Worker Work Visa Program

The Partner of a Worker work visa in New Zealand allows individuals to work in the country if they have a partner who is a New Zealand citizen or resident.

Under this visa, applicants can stay in New Zealand for a duration of 2 years if they have been living with their partner for more than 12 months, or for 1 year if their partner and they have been living together for less than 12 months.

In addition to allowing work in New Zealand, this visa also permits individuals to study in the country for up to 3 months.

Starting from May 31, partners of temporary migrant workers can apply for a work visa from outside New Zealand. However, the visa will have additional conditions regarding the nature of the employer and the pay rate that must be met by the visa holder.

Recent changes specify that migrants who wish to join their partner in New Zealand can apply for a Partner of a Worker Work visa, but the visa will be subject to the following conditions:

• Working only for accredited employers
• Working in positions paid a medium wage of NZ$29.66, unless they are in a role covered by an uncapped sector agreement that allows limited exceptions to median wage requirements.

To be eligible for this visa, the partner must provide one of the following documents:

• New Zealand passport
• New Zealand birth certificate
• Certificate of New Zealand citizenship
• New Zealand residence class visa.

If the partner is a New Zealand resident due to their citizenship or residence status in Australia, they may provide their Australian passport, permanent residence, or resident return visa.

To be eligible for this visa, the applicant and their partner must be living together at the time of application.

Evidence must be provided to demonstrate a genuine and stable relationship, including:

• Duration of the partnership
• how long you’ve been living together
• if you’re 16 or 17, that your parent or guardian supports your partnership
• Time spent together, such as photos, emails, and social media conversations
• Shared finances and responsibilities.

Sufficient funds must be shown to support the applicant during their stay in New Zealand, or an acceptable sponsor can provide support. Supporting evidence can include:

• Adequate salary to sustain the applicant’s stay
• Confirmation of employer’s support
• Sufficient funds to cover expenses
• Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry completed by an acceptable sponsor.

The partner must support the visa application and be eligible to support a partnership-based resident visa application within 12 months.

To be eligible for supporting a partnership-based resident visa application, the partner must not have:

• Previously supported a successful resident visa application for more than one previous partner
• Supported a successful resident visa application for a previous partner within the last 5 years
• Included a previous partner in their own successful residence application within the last 5 years
• Been included as a partner in a successful residence application within the last 5 years
• Deportation liability or suspended deportation liability.

The partner must complete a ‘Partnership support form for Residence/temporary entry’ as evidence of their support.

New Zealand citizens and residents can only support one partner for residence within a 5-year period and a maximum of two partners for residence in total.

If the partner is unable to support the applicant for residence at present but will be able to within 12 months, they can still support their work or visitor visa application.

For those seeking to stay longer, they can apply for residence as the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident.