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Bring your family to New Zealand

Partnership and family visas

Partnership work visas

Work visas obtained under the current Family–Partnership category allow you to work for any employer in any occupation.

Work visas under this category can be applied for by:

  • Partners of those who hold an Accredited Employer Work visa (AEWV)
  • Partners of Work to Resident visa and Post Study Work visa holders
  • Partners of NZ residents and citizens
  • Partners of Student visa holders who are studying level 9 or 10 qualifications, or level 7 or 8 qualifications on the green list or the list of qualifications eligible for a post-study work visa.

Partners of temporary work visa (AEWV) holders may be granted work visas if:

  • The AEWV holder is in a role that is classified as ANZSCO skill level 1,2 or 3 and paid at least 80% of the median wage per hour (currently $26.85 per hour) or
  • The AEWV holder is paid at least 150 percent of the median wage per hour for any role (currently $50.34 per hour); or
  • The AEWV holder is paid at least the median wage per hour in a role on the Greens List (currently $33.56 per hour) and meets the requirements; or
  • The partner is in acceptable employment under the Transport Sector or Care Sector Work to Residence Policies and paid at least 80% of the median wage per hour

There are also instances where a partner of an AEWV holder in an ANSCO skill level 4 and 5 role can qualify for a partnership-based work visa.

Partners and dependent children of Student Visa holders may be able to join them in New Zealand if:

Students are studying one of the following:

  • A PhD (NZQF Level 10), or

  • A Master’s degree (NZQF Level 9)

Students are studying one of the following and the qualification is either on the Green List or eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa:

  • A Bachelor’s degree (NZQF Level 8), or

  • A Postgraduate Diploma (NZQF Level 8), or

  • A Graduate Diploma (NZQF Level 7)

Family cannot be supported on courses below NZQF Level 7.

Immigration New Zealand will accept you as a couple for temporary visas if your relationship is genuine, stable and you are living together – regardless of whether or not you are married.

If you have not lived together there is the option to apply for a general visitor visa, but it is best to get advice first to check if you qualify.

Dependent children temporary visas

If your child is 19 years or under, single, and financially dependent on you, they may be eligible for a student visa (non-tertiary level), or a visitor visa so they can live in New Zealand with you.

Parent Boost Visitor Visa

Opening for applications on 29 September 2025, this visa allows eligible parents to stay in New Zealand for up to 5 years, with the option to apply for a second visa for a total stay of 10 years. Parents and their partners are free to travel in and out of New Zealand during their visa period.

Applicants must be outside New Zealand when applying and when the visa is approved, meet health and character requirements, and be sponsored by an adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident.

Financial eligibility can be met through the sponsor’s income (at least the median wage for one parent, or 1.5 times the median wage for joint sponsors such as siblings), the parent’s ongoing income (at least New Zealand Superannuation rates), or personal assets of NZD $160,000 (single parent) or $250,000 (couple).

Health insurance is mandatory for the full visa duration and must cover emergency care, cancer treatment, repatriation, and return of remains through a reputable provider with a strong credit rating. A mid-visa health check is required in year three, which must be completed outside New Zealand.

While this visa is not a pathway to residence, it offers a valuable way for families to reconnect in New Zealand.

Contact us today to discuss your eligibility and get tailored advice for your family’s situation.

Parent and grandparent visitor visas

Parents and grandparents of New Zealand citizens or residents may be granted a multiple-entry 3-year visitor visa allowing visits of 6 months at a time.  This allows parents and grandparents to stay in New Zealand for up to a maximum of 18 months in total over the 3-year period.

Contact us to find out how we can help your partner and family be with you in New Zealand.

Family Resident Visa Categories

Immigration New Zealand has a range of family policies enabling partners, dependent children and parents of New Zealand citizens or residents to come to live in New Zealand permanently.

Resident Visa Categories

The categories below summarise which family members may potentially qualify. Again, each case needs to be investigated in-depth to make sure all detailed requirements are met. The immigration policy below may change from time to time.

  • Partner – you are the husband, wife, de-facto or civil union partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident.  The key requirement is whether you have lived with your New Zealand citizen partner in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months.
  • Dependent Child – you are a dependent child with a parent who is a New Zealand citizen or resident. You need to be under 25 years old and meet dependent child requirements. 
  • Parent – you have an adult child who meets certain income requirements, either individually, with a partner or with one other adult child, and your Expression of Interest has been drawn from the ballot.  There is an annual limit of 2,500 people being granted residence visas under this category per year.
  • Parent Retirement Category – you have an adult child who is a New Zealand resident and you can nominate at least NZD 1 million to invest over four years, have NZD 500,000 of settlement funds and can demonstrate an income of at least NZD 60,000 per annum.

For more details or a consultation on your situation please get in touch with us.

“I worked with Carol to get a working partnership visa. She was absolutely fantastic! From making sure that I had all the relevant pieces of information to keeping me up to date with what was happening with my application. I couldn’t recommend Greenstone and Carol enough. Thanks again for your help!”

Jennifer Coates