The Government has revised the maximum duration for partnership work and visitor visas for partners of New Zealand citizens or holders of residence class visas. The duration has been extended from 2 years to 3 years. This is very good news and will provide some peace of mind for migrants whose 2-year partnership visa may sometimes appear too short to secure residency.
What has changed?
Up until now, the maximum duration of a partnership-based temporary (work or visitor) visa a partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident was 24 months. If the visa applicant is in New Zealand, they must hold a valid temporary visa at all times, while the partnership residency application is in process. This was initially deemed sufficient time for the couple to apply for, and secure residency.
The increase of this temporary visa allowance from 24 to 36 months will provide couples with more time to gather funds for residence application fee and for the residency application to process. It also aligns more closely with the visa durations available to partners of temporary migrants.
How long will my visa be granted for?
From 1st October 2024, if you can demonstrate that you have been in a genuine relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident for less than 12 months, you may be granted a 12 months temporary visa, with the ability to renew it for a further 24 months. If you can demonstrate from the outset that you have been in a genuine relationship for 12 months or more, you may seek a 36 months temporary partnership visa, and/or apply for residency immediately.
Should I apply for temporary visas or residency directly?
If you have a solid 12 months' evidence of living together with your New Zealand partner, there are a number of factors to consider, including:
- your anticipated travel plans,
- the required documentation, which is different for residency and temporary visa applications,
- visa processing timeframes, which are quicker for temporary visas than for residency,
- and the government fee for the application, which is much higher for residency than it is for a temporary visa.
Discussing your circumstances with a licensed adviser will ensure you make the right decision in whether applying for a temporary visa, a resident visa, or both.
When are these changes coming into effect?
The new regulations will take effect for applications submitted from 1 October 2024, as well as for those applications that are pending a decision on that date. Existing visas will not be automatically renewed; a new application must be submitted to benefit from the extended duration.
