The objective of New Zealand's Family Category Policy is
to strengthen and reunite families and communities. The
New Zealand unmarried partner, fiancé(e) and marriage visa is designed to help applicants move to New Zealand to join their spouse, fiancé or unmarried partner
(same sex relationships included). This visa is also referred to as a Partnership visa. This guide will also provide you with
information about parent and grandparent visas.
The
Family Category is available to you if you:
This guide will help you with the following types of visas:
- Fiance, spouse and partner visas
- Parent visas, and in some cases grandparents and legal guardians
Fiance, spouse and partner 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.
Parent visas, and in some cases grandparents and legal guardians
:
You may be eligible for a parent visa if
you meet the following requirements:
- You are the parent of an adult child 17 or over who is a New Zealand
citizen/resident
- AND the "centre
of gravity" of your family is in New Zealand
The "centre of gravity"
New Zealand refers to the centre of gravity in determining if a parent is eligible
for immigration. This refers to the location of your children. We have prepared an easy to understand table to help you find
out if you meet the center of gravity requirement and are eligible for a visa.
If
you are a parent with no dependent children
No. of Children | In New Zealand | In home country | Third Country | Eligible? |
2 | 1 | 1 | - | Yes |
5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Yes |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | No |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | No |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Yes |
If you are parent with dependent children.
No. of Children | In New Zealand | In home country | Third Country | Eligible? |
2 | 1 adult | 1
dependent | - | Yes |
4 | 1 adult | 1
adult, 2 dependents | - | No |
4 | 1 adult | 2
dependents | 1
adult | No |
4 | 1 adult | 1
adult, 1 dependent | 1
adult | Yes |
6 | 2 adults | 2
dependents | 2
adults | Yes |
Sponsorship requirements
You will need a sponsor for this visa. Your sponsor must:
- Be 17 or over
- Be
in New Zealand
- Be a citizen/resident not
subject to the requirements of section 18A of the Immigration Act 1987
- Have been a New Zealand/Australian citizen/ resident for at least three (3) years immediately before the date
of your application
- And in each
of the three 12-month portions within that three-year period, have spent a total of 184 days or more in New Zealand.
- And be willing and eligible to ensure financial
support and accommodation is provided if necessary for the first 24 months of the your stay.
Grandparents and legal guardians
Under certain conditions, grandparents and legal guardians can be treated as parents. The conditions are as follows:
Grandparents:
- If both the sponsor's parents are deceased, one grandparent and spouse can
be sponsored under the Parent policy.
Legal guardians:
- If both the sponsor's parents died before the sponsor was 20
- AND the legal guardian was granted custody and the right to control the sponsor's upbringing before the age of
20. Then the legal guardian and partner may apply under the parent policy.
