Immigration New Zealand has announced new age and evidence requirements for partnership‑based visas. These changes take effect from 25 September 2026 and apply to anyone applying for a dedicated partnership‑based visa, as well as the partners supporting those applications.
Key Changes
- Both the applicant and the supporting partner must be aged 18 or over at the time the application is submitted.
- Immigration New Zealand will only accept partnership evidence from after both partners have turned 18. Any evidence from before both individuals were 18 will not be used to assess the relationship.
Visa Categories Affected
The new requirements apply to all dedicated partnership‑based visas, including:
- Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
- Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
- Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
- Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
- Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
- Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- Partner of a Student Visitor Visa
- Partner of a Student Work Visa
- Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa
These changes do not apply when a partner is included in a residence application under Skilled, Business, International, Humanitarian or other non‑partnership‑based Family categories, or in a general visitor visa application.
What This Means for Applicants
Residence applications: Couples applying for partnership‑based residence must have lived together for at least 12 months. Under the new rules, this 12‑month period can only begin once both partners are 18. In practice, this means an applicant cannot qualify for partnership‑based residence until both partners are at least 19.
Temporary partnership visas: These visas do not have a specific 12‑month living‑together requirement. However, applicants must still provide acceptable evidence showing they are living together in a genuine and stable relationship, and this evidence must be from after both partners turned 18. Turning 18 will not usually result in immediate eligibility.
Before Applying
Applicants must continue to meet all other requirements for the visa they are applying for. Some online application forms may not be updated immediately, so applicants and advisers should check the latest requirements on the Immigration New Zealand website before submitting an application.
The new rules do not apply to resident visa applications submitted before 25 September 2026, or to visas that have already been granted.
If you want assistance with your Partnership Visa, then start by taking our Partner Visa Eligibility Assessment.
Or visit our Partner Visa page to read more information about the requirements.
