Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa
Purpose	Join scholarship-student partner
Stay	Partner’s student visa duration
Cost	From NZD $1,630
Processing	80% within 5 weeks
Eligibility timing	Not stated in the source
Work rights	Any lawful work
Job offer	Not required
Study	Up to 3 months
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple entry until expiry
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Cannot include dependent children
Visa record	Conditions recorded in eVisa
Funds required	At least NZD $4,200

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Purpose

This visa lets you work in New Zealand while your partner holds an MFAT-funded New Zealand Scholarship Student Visa.

It lets you:

• Join your partner in New Zealand.
• Work during your stay.
• Study for up to 3 months.
• Travel in and out of New Zealand.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be the partner of an MFAT-funded NZ Scholarship Student Visa holder.
• Be living together in a genuine and stable relationship.
• Have a partner eligible to support your application.
• Have at least NZD $4,200 for living expenses.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Genuinely intend to meet visa conditions.

You are not eligible if your partner’s scholarship visa was for:

• New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarships; or
• New Zealand English Language Training for Officials Scholarships.

Relationship and Supporting Partner

You must provide evidence that you live together in a genuine and stable relationship. Evidence should show:

• How long you have been together and lived together.
• Shared finances and responsibilities.
• Time spent together, such as photos, emails, or messages.
• Recognition of the relationship by other people.

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. They do not meet the requirements if, within the last 7 years, they were convicted of:

• An offence involving domestic violence.
• An offence of a sexual nature.

Stay and Travel

Your visa lasts for the same duration as your partner’s student visa.

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

You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.

Work Rights

You can work in any job, anywhere in New Zealand, provided that:

• The work is legal.
• You hold any required New Zealand occupational registration.
• You do not provide commercial sexual services.
• You do not invest in or operate a business providing commercial sexual services.

You may be a sole trader or own a business. However, as a business owner, you cannot employ anyone directly or indirectly.

Study

You may study for up to 3 months.

Funds

You must have at least NZD $4,200 to support yourself.

Acceptable evidence may include:

• Bank statements.
• Credit-card statements.
• Bank drafts.
• Traveller’s cheques.

You must continue to have enough money to live on while in New Zealand.

Health and Character

You must be in good health. Immigration New Zealand may require a chest X-ray, medical examination, or both.

You normally do not need:

• A chest X-ray for stays under 6 months.
• A medical certificate for stays under 12 months.

Police certificates are required if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or more across all visits, or if requested. Certificates must:

• Be less than 6 months old when submitted.
• Cover countries of citizenship or countries where you lived over 5 years since age 17.

Applicants aged 16 or younger do not need police certificates.

Required Documents

Provide:

• Passport or certificate of identity.
• One acceptable photo for online applications.
• Evidence of funds.
• Evidence of your genuine and stable relationship.
• Supporting-partner form INZ 1146.
• Health and character evidence, if required.

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

Additional documents apply to certain applicants:

• Chinese citizens applying from China: Hukou and Chinese identity card.
• Hong Kong or Macao applicants applying locally: identity-card copy.
• Paper applicants from China, Hong Kong, or Macao may need a supplementary form.

How to Apply

1. Apply online through Immigration New Zealand’s application system.
2. Upload a copy of your passport and supporting evidence.
3. Pay the applicable fee, starting from NZD $1,630.
4. Send your passport if Immigration New Zealand requests it.

Processing information stated on the page: 80% within 5 weeks.

Arrival Requirements

Everyone must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

• Air travellers may submit it from 24 hours before travel begins.
• Sea travellers may submit it from 24 hours before the ship leaves its last overseas port.

You may be refused entry permission if you are not a genuine visitor, no longer meet character requirements, have changed circumstances, refuse biometric collection, or cannot show required onward travel or funds.

Important Warning

After your partner completes their scholarship, you are not eligible for another temporary visa for 2 years without written approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

The exception is a short-term visitor visa.