New Zealand visaJoin a partner in New ZealandNew Zealand partner visa for spouses of Indian work visa holders
Spouses and partners of Indians working in New Zealand apply for a partner visa matched to the worker's visa: the Partner of a Worker Work Visa (NZD 1,630) gives open work rights when the AEWV holder is in an ANZSCO level 1 to 3 role paid at least NZD 28.00 an hour, or any role paid NZD 52.50 an hour or more; otherwise the partner receives a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa (NZD 341) and may apply for work visas in their own right. The relationship must be genuine and stable with evidence of living together, usually 12 months, and the visa lasts as long as the worker's. Dependent children get visitor or student visas, studying as domestic students when the worker earns at least NZD 55,844 a year. Decisions take 4 to 8 weeks.
6 min read Verified 30 October 2026 against immigration.govt.nz · How we verify
New Zealand partner of a worker work visa: quick answers
- Who qualifies for a New Zealand partner visa?
- A spouse, civil union or de facto partner aged 18 or over who lives with the supporting worker in a genuine and stable relationship, normally evidenced by 12 months of cohabitation (shorter periods can be accepted with strong evidence, including arranged marriages where the couple has lived together since the wedding). The supporting partner must hold an AEWV, a Post Study Work Visa or another eligible work visa; for the open work visa the AEWV holder must be in an ANZSCO 1 to 3 role earning NZD 28.00 an hour or more, in a Green List role, or in any role at NZD 52.50 an hour. Partners of students in level 9 and 10 programmes or Green List-linked courses have their own work visa.
- What does it cost?
- NZD 1,630 for the Partner of a Worker Work Visa or NZD 341 for the Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa, paid online; dependent children pay NZD 341 for a visitor visa or NZD 850 for a student visa (NZD 750 for a dependent child without the IVL). Add the medical and chest X-ray for stays over 12 months (INR 5,000 to 8,000) and an Indian police certificate when the total stay will reach 24 months. Vistolane charges the government fee at the official rate and shows its service separately.
- How long does it take from India?
- Immigration New Zealand decides most partner visas within 4 to 8 weeks when the relationship evidence is complete; files for recently married couples or with little shared-household evidence take longer and may involve an interview. Apply after the worker's AEWV is granted, or at the same time in a linked application, and allow 2 to 3 months before travel.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Partner of a Worker Work Visa (open work) or Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa; same expiry as the worker's visa |
| Government fee | NZD 1,630 work visa; NZD 341 visitor visa |
| Processing | Most files in 4 to 8 weeks |
| Work rights test | Worker in ANZSCO 1 to 3 role at NZD 28.00 an hour or more, Green List, or any role at NZD 52.50 |
| Relationship | Genuine and stable; living together, usually 12 months |
| Children | Visitor or student visas; domestic student fees when the worker earns NZD 55,844 a year |
| Health | Medical and X-ray for stays over 12 months |
| Verified | 30 Oct 2026 against immigration.govt.nz |
Which partner visa you get, and how the relationship is assessed
| Supporting partner | Partner's visa | Work rights | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEWV holder in ANZSCO 1 to 3 role paid NZD 28.00 an hour or more, or a Green List role | Partner of a Worker Work Visa | Open; any employer | NZD 1,630 |
| AEWV holder in any role paid NZD 52.50 an hour or more | Partner of a Worker Work Visa | Open | NZD 1,630 |
| AEWV holder in ANZSCO 4 to 5 role paid under NZD 52.50 | Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa | None; may apply for own AEWV | NZD 341 |
| Post Study Work Visa holder in a skilled role | Partner of a Worker Work Visa | Open | NZD 1,630 |
| Student in level 9 or 10, or Green List-linked course | Partner of a Student Work Visa | Open | NZD 1,630 |
Genuine and stable means the couple lives together, shares finances and is recognised as a couple by family and friends, intending to stay together. Immigration New Zealand expects 12 months of cohabitation evidence for a work visa; Indian couples married recently can still succeed by showing the wedding, joint travel, shared accommodation since the marriage, joint accounts and communication, and INZ may grant a shorter visa or interview both partners. A marriage certificate alone is not enough, and living apart because of the visa process is accepted when explained.
The partner's visa expires with the worker's and is renewed together. Partners holding the visitor visa may take up an AEWV of their own with an accredited employer, and partners of Skilled Migrant residents apply for the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa (NZD 2,750) once the worker holds residence. Children aged 19 or under are dependants; those aged 17 or over need police certificates when total stay reaches 24 months.
Fees and what they cover
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Partner of a Worker Work Visa | NZD 1,630 | Open work rights; no IVL |
| Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa | NZD 341 | No IVL for partner and dependent categories |
| Dependent Child of a Worker Visitor Visa | NZD 341 | Under 19 |
| Dependent Child Student Visa | NZD 750 | No IVL for dependent children; domestic fees if the worker earns NZD 55,844 a year |
| Medical and chest X-ray | INR 5,000 to 8,000 per person | Stays over 12 months |
| Police certificates | INR 500 | Partner; children aged 17 or over at 24 months |
Fees have applied since 1 October 2024. Vistolane charges the government fee at the official rate and shows the medical and translation costs separately.
How the application runs, step by step
- 1
Check which visa applies
Confirm the worker's ANZSCO level and hourly rate on the job check and payslips; Green List roles qualify for the work visa.
- 2
Build the relationship file
Marriage certificate, 12 months of shared address evidence, joint finances, photographs, travel, communication, statutory declarations from family.
- 3
Complete health and character
Medical and X-ray for stays over 12 months; Indian police certificate if total stay reaches 24 months.
- 4
Apply online and pay
NZD 1,630 or NZD 341; upload the worker's visa, job check or employment agreement and payslips.
- 5
Receive the eVisa and travel
Work for any employer on the work visa; apply for an IRD number; renew with the worker's visa.
Timeline for an Indian family
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Worker's AEWV granted | First | Or lodge a linked application |
| Relationship evidence | 2 to 4 weeks | Gather 12 months of shared-life documents |
| Medical and PCC | 2 to 4 weeks | In parallel |
| Decision | 4 to 8 weeks | Interview possible for recent marriages |
| Renewal | With the worker's visa | Same evidence refreshed |
Couples who marry in India after the worker has left should file as soon as 3 to 6 months of post-wedding evidence exists, with a clear explanation of the separation.
After arrival: work, children, residence
Partner work visa holders may work for any employer in any role, which is the usual way Indian spouses in nursing, teaching and IT enter the New Zealand labour market, and their own skilled work can later support a Skilled Migrant application in their own right. Children attend school as domestic students when the worker earns NZD 55,844 a year or more; otherwise international fees apply. Partners on visitor visas can study for up to 3 months and apply for their own AEWV when an accredited employer offers a role.
When the worker gains Skilled Migrant residence the partner is included in the same application if the relationship has lasted 12 months, or applies afterwards for the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa. Separation ends the partner visa, and Immigration New Zealand must be told; victims of family violence have a dedicated visa.
Document checklist: relationship
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Marriage certificate (or civil union) | Registered in India; English translation if needed |
| Shared address evidence for 12 months | Tenancy, bills, bank statements, correspondence at the same address |
| Joint finances | Joint account, remittances, insurance, shared purchases |
| Photographs, travel and communication | Over the relationship, with family |
| Statutory declarations | From family or friends who know the couple |
Supporting worker
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Worker's eVisa | AEWV, PSWV or eligible work visa |
| Job check approval or employment agreement | ANZSCO level, hours, hourly rate |
| Last 3 payslips | At or above NZD 28.00 or NZD 52.50 an hour as applicable |
Health, character, children
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Medical and chest X-ray | Stays over 12 months |
| Indian police clearance certificate | If total stay reaches 24 months |
| Children's birth certificates and passports | Dependent child visas |
Why applications on this route get refused, and the fix
Relationship not genuine and stable
Short cohabitation and thin evidence after a recent marriage.
The fix. Add joint finances, shared address proof, travel and family declarations; expect an interview and answer consistently.
Wrong visa type
Work visa requested when the worker is in a level 4 to 5 role under NZD 52.50.
The fix. Apply for the visitor visa, then your own AEWV with an accredited employer.
Worker's pay not evidenced
No payslips or an agreement below the threshold.
The fix. Attach 3 payslips and the job check approval.
Health or character
Medical missing for a stay over 12 months.
The fix. Book the panel clinic before applying.
Living apart
Couple separated for long periods without explanation.
The fix. Explain the visa-driven separation with evidence of contact and visits.
Official sources
New Zealand partner of a worker work visa questions
Other New Zealand routes
Visit New Zealand
Visitor visa
NZD 341 visa fee plus the NZD 100 International Visitor Levy (NZD 441 in total)
Read the route
Study in New Zealand
Fee Paying Student Visa
NZD 850 including the NZD 100 International Visitor Levy (2026)
Read the route
Work in New Zealand
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
NZD 1,540 for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (employer accreditation and job check paid separately)
Read the route
Settle in New Zealand
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
NZD 6,450 for the principal applicant and included family (2026)
Read the route