This visa is for people who are coming to New Zealand either to:

• Get married to a New Zealand citizen or resident in a culturally arranged marriage, or

• Have already had a culturally arranged marriage overseas with a New Zealand citizen or resident.

Who can apply?

You may be eligible if:

• The marriage follows a recognised cultural tradition, where arrangements are made by family members or third parties, not the couple themselves.

• You can show there is a genuine intent to marry, and that the marriage is intended to be long-term and exclusive.

Additional conditions:

• If you're coming to marry in New Zealand, the wedding must take place within 3 months of your arrival.

• If you were married outside New Zealand, you must apply for this visa within 3 months of the wedding.

What happens after the marriage?

Once you're living with your spouse in a genuine and stable relationship, you can apply for a partnership-based Work or Visitor Visa, and later possibly for residency. Contact us 

FAQs

Q- Can you become a New Zealand citizen by marriage?

A. Marriage to a New Zealand citizen does not automatically make you a New Zealand citizen. However, it can help you become eligible for residency, which is a key step toward citizenship.

Here’s how it works:

• If you're the partner (married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship) of a New Zealand citizen or resident, you can apply for a partnership-based resident visa.

• If approved, you can live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely.

• You may also include dependent children (aged 24 and under) in your visa application.

Q- Can I live in New Zealand if my partner is a New Zealand Citizen or resident visa holder?

1. Yes, you can — but you’ll need to follow a visa process.

If your partner is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and you want to live in New Zealand together, you can apply for a partnership-based visa.

To qualify:

• You must be in a genuine and stable relationship with your partner.

• You must have lived together for 12 months or more.

If your application is successful, you may first be granted a temporary partnership visa, which can later lead to a resident visa. Once you hold a resident visa, you’ll be able to live, work, and study in New Zealand.

Q- How do I get a spouse visa for New Zealand?

A: To get a spouse visa (partnership-based visa) for New Zealand, you must apply through Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and prove that your relationship meets their criteria.

Here’s what you need to know:

• INZ defines a partnership as a relationship that is:

  • Genuine (not entered into just for a visa),

  • Stable, and

  • Ongoing.

• You must show that you and your spouse are living together in this relationship at the time of application.

Key requirements:

• Be legally married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident.

• Provide evidence of your relationship. This can include:

  • Joint tenancy or mortgage documents,

  • Shared bills or bank accounts,

  • Photos together,

  • Communication history,

  • Letters from family or friends confirming the relationship.

Once INZ is satisfied with your evidence, you may be granted a temporary partnership visa, which can lead to residency if your relationship continues.