Step 19: Apply for Partner of a Worker Work Visa 

To apply for the Partner of a Worker work visa, the partner holding the original work visa will need to complete the “Form for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based Temporary Entry Application” (INZ 1146). The applicant needs to complete the “Partnership-Based Temporary Visa Application” (INZ 1198). All application materials must be submitted by mail or in person to the appropriate immigration office. These include your fees (credit card information on your application form or check), passport-sized colour photographs, Medical and Chest X-ray certificates (or eMedical Reference Code), Police Certificate(s), and passport.

But what if Immigration NZ concludes your relationship is a sham? This is what happened to our friends Rick and Kyra. Kyra told me the story:

“Even though Rick and I had been together for 20 years, and were married for 16 at the time of our application, we were asked to supply more information as proof that we were still in a relationship. We had included a lot of information, but were a little light on the most recent year (despite giving a link to our blog that documented our travels up to and while living in New Zealand). It can be challenging to come up with stuff like utility bills (we make our own electricity and water, seeing as we live aboard a boat) and we don't have a tenancy agreement (another thing they asked for), again because we live aboard. We had to get creative: the marina wrote a letter confirming we had been renting a mooring, members of the community who'd gotten to know us offered to write letters confirming our relationship, and so on. In the end, Immigration NZ finally believed we were genuine partners!”