Longer Visas for Partners of New Zealand Citizens or Residents from October 2024

Starting 1 October 2024, partners of New Zealand citizens or residence visa holders can apply for longer work and visitor visas. The maximum duration will increase from 2 years to 3 years for couples who have lived together for at least 12 months.

Starting 1 October 2024, partners of New Zealand citizens or residence visa holders can apply for longer work and visitor visas. The maximum duration will increase from 2 years to 3 years for couples who have lived together for at least 12 months.

What This Means

  • More Time for Couples: The extended duration allows couples more flexibility, including time to save for residence application fees.
  • Alignment with Other Policies: This change aligns visa durations for partners of New Zealanders with those granted to partners of temporary migrants.

Who Is Eligible?

  • Applications received from 1 October 2024.
  • Applications submitted before this date but still undecided on 1 October 2024.

Note: Current visas will not be automatically extended. Eligible individuals will need to submit a new application for the longer visa duration.

Supporting Economic Growth

This change is part of the Government’s efforts to build a world-class immigration system that supports New Zealand’s economy by attracting and retaining valuable skills and experience.

For more details, feel free to reach out to VisaSector!