This update affects couples applying for temporary New Zealand partnership-based visas.
Immigration New Zealand has announced further changes to temporary visas for the partners of New Zealand citizens and residents.
From 16 November 2026, temporary visa applications supported by a New Zealand citizen or resident will move to the enhanced Immigration Online system.
This affects:
- Partner of a New Zealander Work Visas
- Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visas
- Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visas
- Child of a New Zealander Student Visas
As part of this shift, Immigration New Zealand is also updating the immigration instructions for these visas. The goal is to improve clarity, ensure the rules remain fit for purpose, and better reflect the original policy intent.
Alongside a number of small consistency updates, the key changes include:
- allowing children who qualify for domestic student status to apply for a Child of New Zealander Student Visa
- clearer guidance on when medical certificates are required and how they will be assessed
- extending the maximum visitor visa duration for children of New Zealand citizens or residents from 9 months to 12 months
- clarifying how long partnership visas can be granted when couples have lived together for less than 12 months
- allowing some residence applications to be deferred if court proceedings may affect a supporting partner’s eligibility
These changes are in addition to the minimum age requirement for partnership-based visas that came into effect earlier this week.
More information will be released in the coming weeks.
You can read more on the INZ website
And to start the process, fill out our short Partner Visa Eligibility Assessment.
