Partner of a Student Work Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Partner of a Student Work Visa
Stay	Partner’s student visa duration
Cost	From NZD $1,630
Processing	80% within 5 weeks
Eligibility timing	Must live together when applying
Work rights	Any lawful work, nationwide
Study	Up to 3 months yearly
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple entries before expiry
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Can support children after grant
Visa record	Conditions recorded in eVisa
Funds required	At least NZD $4,200
Job offer	Not required
Application methods	Online or paper

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Purpose

This visa allows the partner of an eligible New Zealand student visa holder to live with them and work in New Zealand.

You do not need a New Zealand job offer.

Stay and validity

A visa is normally granted for the same duration as the supporting partner’s student visa.

It is valid from:

• the date you enter New Zealand, if approved while offshore, or
• the grant date, if you are already in New Zealand.

You must leave New Zealand before the visa expires.

Eligibility

You must:

• have a partner who holds, or is applying for, a New Zealand student visa;
• live together in a genuine and stable relationship;
• have at least NZD $4,200 for living costs;
• be in good health;
• be of good character; and
• have genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand.

You must be living together when you apply.

Supporting partner’s study

Your partner must be studying:

• a NZQCF level 9 or 10 qualification;
• an eligible level 7 or 8 Green List qualification;
• an eligible level 7 or 8 Post Study Work Visa qualification; or
• a level 7 or 8 Long Term Skill Shortage List qualification, if their study began on or before 7 September 2022.

Your partner must complete the Form for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based Temporary Entry Applications (INZ 1146).

Your partner must meet character requirements, or receive a character waiver. A partner with domestic violence or sexual-offence convictions does not meet those requirements.

You may apply at the same time as your partner applies for their student visa. Your visa can only be granted after their student visa is approved.

Relationship evidence

Provide evidence that you live together in a genuine and stable relationship. This should show:

• how long you have been together and lived together;
• shared finances and responsibilities;
• time spent together, such as photos, emails, and social-media messages;
• that others recognise the relationship; and
• any other evidence of living together.

Funds

You must show at least NZD $4,200 for your stay.

Acceptable evidence may include:

• bank statements;
• credit-card statements;
• bank drafts; or
• traveller’s cheques.

You may be asked to show funds again on arrival.

Health and character

Health

You may need a chest X-ray, medical examination, or both.

Health evidence must be less than 3 months old when received.

If staying more than 6 months, you must provide a chest X-ray if you:

• are a citizen of a country without a low tuberculosis incidence; or
• spent more than 3 months in the past 5 years in such a country.

Character

You may need police certificates.

Police certificates are required if you:

• are aged 17 or older; and
• will spend 24 months or longer in New Zealand in total, including previous stays.

Certificates must be from countries where you:

• are a citizen; or
• have spent more than 5 years since turning 17.

They must be less than 6 months old when you apply. English translations are required for certificates not in English.

Rights and conditions

Work

You may work in any lawful job, anywhere in New Zealand.

You must:

• hold any required occupational registration;
• not provide commercial sexual services; and
• not invest in or operate a business providing commercial sexual services.

You may be a sole trader or own a business, but an owner-operated business cannot employ other people, directly or indirectly.

You need an IRD number to pay tax on New Zealand earnings.

Study

You may study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period.

Travel

You may travel in and out of New Zealand as many times as you like before the visa expires.

Your specific conditions are recorded in your eVisa.

Family provisions

You cannot include dependent children in this visa application.

After receiving the work visa, you may support dependent children to apply for visas to join you.

Documents

Provide:

• passport or certificate of identity;
• one acceptable photo online, or two photos on paper;
• relationship evidence;
• completed INZ 1146 from your supporting partner;
• evidence of funds;
• chest X-ray or medical evidence, if required;
• police certificates, if required; and
• certified English translations of non-English police and medical certificates.

Your passport or certificate of identity must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand.

Additional forms apply to certain applicants:

• Chinese citizens applying from China, Hong Kong, or Macao: INZ 1027;
• Hong Kong or Macao passport or identity-document holders applying within China, Hong Kong, or Macao: INZ 1220.

How to apply

Apply online

1. Gather required documents and translations.
2. Create or log in to an Immigration New Zealand online account.
3. Complete the application, upload evidence, and pay fees.
4. Monitor your account and respond to any requests.
5. If approved, receive an eVisa by email.

Apply online: https://apply.immigration.govt.nz/

Apply on paper

1. Gather documents and translations.
2. Complete Partnership-based Temporary Visa Application (INZ 1198).
3. Attach supporting evidence.
4. Submit the application and pay applicable fees.
5. Wait for the decision and eVisa email.

After applying

Immigration New Zealand may request further medical evidence, chest X-rays, or police certificates.

If you are in New Zealand and your temporary visa expires while the application is being processed, Immigration New Zealand will normally issue an Interim Visa so you can remain lawfully.

Arrival obligations

All travellers must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

You may be refused entry permission if you:

• no longer have genuine intentions;
• do not meet character requirements;
• have had a relevant change in circumstances; or
• refuse a photograph, fingerprints, or iris scan.

Important warnings

• Ensure identity details exactly match your passport or certificate of identity.
• Errors may delay the application, cause a decline, or result in refused entry.
• A passport close to expiry may prevent airline check-in.
• Submit complete evidence to help avoid processing delays.