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, a Green List role, or any role paid NZD 52.50 an hour or more; otherwise the partner receives the Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa (NZD 341). The relationship must be genuine and stable, with 12 months of living together as the benchmark, the visa lasts as long as the worker's, and most files are decided in 4 to 8 weeks. Children get visitor or student visas and study as domestic students when the worker earns at least NZD 55,844 a year.
The short version with the price card and checklist is on the New Zealand partner visa route page. This article is the long version: which partner visa applies, how the relationship is assessed, the fees, the evidence that works for recently married Indian couples, children's rights and the refusal reasons.
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. The supporting partner must hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa, a Post Study Work Visa or another eligible work visa; the New Zealand AEWV guide explains how that visa is obtained. Partners of students in level 9 and 10 programmes, or in Green List-linked postgraduate courses, have their own Partner of a Student Work Visa.
Immigration New Zealand normally expects 12 months of cohabitation. Shorter periods can be accepted with strong evidence, including arranged marriages where the couple has lived together since the wedding, but a marriage certificate alone is never enough. Living apart because of the visa process is accepted when it is explained with evidence of contact and visits.
Which partner visa will I get, and what are the work rights?
| Supporting partner | Partner's visa | Work rights | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEWV holder in an 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 an 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 a level 9 or 10, or Green List-linked, course | Partner of a Student Work Visa | Open | NZD 1,630 |
The partner's visa expires with the worker's and is renewed together. Partners on the visitor visa may take up an AEWV of their own with an accredited employer, and once the worker gains residence the partner applies for the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa (NZD 2,750) or is included in the Skilled Migrant application described in the New Zealand Skilled Migrant residence guide.
How much does a New Zealand partner visa cost?
| 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 dependant categories |
| Dependent Child of a Worker Visitor Visa | NZD 341 | Aged 19 or under |
| Dependent Child Student Visa | NZD 750 | 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 on the New Zealand destination page.
What relationship evidence does Immigration New Zealand accept?
Genuine and stable means the couple lives together, shares finances and is recognised as a couple by family and friends, intending to stay together. The strongest Indian files combine the registered marriage certificate (with an English translation if needed), 12 months of shared address evidence such as tenancy, bills, bank statements and correspondence, joint finances including a joint account, remittances, insurance and shared purchases, photographs and travel across the relationship, communication records and statutory declarations from relatives or friends who know the couple.
Couples who married in India after the worker had left should file as soon as 3 to 6 months of post-wedding evidence exists, with a clear explanation of the separation and proof of visits and daily contact. The guide to proving a genuine relationship covers how officers weigh each type of evidence.
How does the application run?
- 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.
- Build the relationship file: marriage certificate, shared address evidence, joint finances, photographs, travel, communication, statutory declarations.
- Complete health and character: medical and X-ray for stays over 12 months; Indian police certificate if the total stay will reach 24 months.
- Apply online and pay NZD 1,630 or NZD 341; upload the worker's eVisa, job check approval or employment agreement and the last 3 payslips.
- Receive the eVisa and travel; work for any employer on the work visa, apply for an IRD number and renew with the worker's visa.
How long does it take?
| 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 |
The processing times page tracks current turnaround.
What happens after arrival?
Partner work visa holders may work for any employer in any role, which is how many Indian spouses in nursing, teaching and IT enter the New Zealand labour market; 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. Partners on visitor visas may study for up to 3 months and apply for their own AEWV when an accredited employer offers a role.
Separation ends the partner visa and Immigration New Zealand must be told; victims of family violence have a dedicated visa. When the worker gains residence the partner is included if the relationship has lasted 12 months, or applies afterwards as the partner of a New Zealand resident.
Why are New Zealand partner visas refused, and what fixes each reason?
Relationship not genuine and stable. Short cohabitation and thin evidence after a recent marriage. 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. 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. Attach 3 payslips and the job check approval.
Health or character. Medical missing for a stay over 12 months. Book the panel clinic before applying.
Living apart. Couple separated for long periods without explanation. Explain the visa-driven separation with evidence of contact and visits.
How Vistolane files it
Vistolane prepares the relationship file, confirms which partner visa applies from the worker's job check and payslips and lodges the application, charging the government fee at the official rate. Start with the free eligibility check or the New Zealand partner visa route page. Couples comparing destinations can read the Australia partner visa guide.
