Victims of Family Violence Work Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Victims of Family Violence Work Visa
Purpose	Work after family violence
Stay	Up to 6 months
Further stay	9 months if residence applied
Cost	NZD $0
Processing	High priority
Eligibility timing	Not stated in the source
Work rights	Any employer; restricted open work
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple travel until expiry
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Cannot include partner or children
Visa record	Conditions recorded in eVisa

---

Purpose

This visa is for people who experienced family violence from a family member or someone close to them while living together.

You must have been in a partnership with:

• A New Zealand citizen or resident; or
• A temporary migrant, where you hold a partnership-based visa.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be a victim of family violence.
• Provide specific evidence of the violence.
• Show the abuser was a family member or someone close to you.
• Show you and the abuser lived at the same address.
• Meet identity, health, character and genuine-intentions requirements.

If your partnership with a New Zealand citizen or resident has not been previously assessed, Immigration New Zealand may require relationship evidence.

Stay and Further Visas

The visa allows you to stay in New Zealand for up to 6 months.

If you have applied for a Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa, you may apply for a further work visa. Each further work visa allows an additional 9 months to stay and work while the residence application is processed.

You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires unless you obtain another visa.

Cost and Processing

• Application cost: NZD $0.
• Processing: High priority.

Payment and submission information is shown after providing nationality details.

Work Rights and Conditions

You may work in any job and for any employer, provided that:

• You work under an employment contract or contract for services.
• You do not take permanent employment.
• Your work is legal.
• You do not operate a business as an owner.
• You do not provide commercial sexual services.
• You do not invest in a business providing commercial sexual services.

Your visa conditions are recorded in your eVisa.

Travel

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

Family Provisions

You cannot include your partner or dependent children in your application.

However, they may apply for visas based on their relationship to you.

Required Evidence

Identity

Provide:

• Two acceptable head-and-shoulders photographs.
• Original or certified copy of your passport or certificate of identity.
• Original or certified copy of your full birth certificate.

If you submit a certified passport copy, Immigration New Zealand may request the original passport.

Health

You must be in good health and provide:

• A chest X-ray.
• A medical examination.

Character

Police certificates are required if:

• Your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer across all visits; or
• Immigration New Zealand asks for them.

Certificates must:

• Be less than 6 months old when submitted.
• Cover countries where you are a citizen.
• Cover countries where you lived more than 5 years since turning 17.

Applicants aged 16 or younger do not need police certificates. Previously supplied certificates may not need resubmission if they are less than 24 months old.

Family Violence and Living Arrangements

Provide evidence that:

• You experienced family violence.
• The abuser was a family member or someone close to you.
• You lived together at the same address.

Evidence may include:

• New Zealand Police confirmation.
• Statutory declaration by an authorised professional.
• Your statutory declaration.
• Other supporting evidence.

Important Warnings

• A criminal conviction or security risk may prevent visa approval.
• You must genuinely intend to meet all visa conditions.
• Working outside the listed conditions may breach your visa.
• You cannot remain in New Zealand after visa expiry without another visa.