Spouse/fiance(e) visas

Both partners under a New Zealand unmarried partner, fiancé or marriage visa application must be 18 years of age or older or have parental/guardian/other consent if between 16 and 18 years of age.

A partner of a principal New Zealand unmarried partner, fiancé or marriage visa applicant is someone who has been legally married to the applicant, or in a close living relationship that is similar to marriage, for 12 months or more. It may be a relationship between people of the opposite or the same sex. The applicants must have been living together for a minimum of 12 months in a genuine and stable relationship, whether married or not.

The minimum requirements for recognition of a partnership are that the applicants:

• are both 18 years of age or older (or have parental/guardian/other consent if between 16 and 18 years of age), and
• have met each other prior to submitting an application, and
• are not close relatives.

In addition to the minimum requirements outlined above, basic standards of health and character have to be met in order to lodge a successful New Zealand Unmarried Partner, Fiancé and Marriage Visas application.

Please note that it may be possible to lodge an application for a Partnership visa if the applicants have been living together for less than 12 months, but can show they are in a genuine and stable relationship. workpermit.com's New Zealand consultants will be happy to help you if this is the case in your family.