New Zealand Spouse Visa: Requirements, Process, Cost
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New Zealand Spouse Visa: Requirements, Process, Cost

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Raj
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Updated on Sep 1, 2025 09:02 IST

If your husband/wife is studying in New Zealand, it is easy to join them if you get a spouse visa for yourself. Not only you, but your children can join you and stay in New Zealand till the time your spouse's course gets over. Partner means the spouse into a legal marriage or civil union partner of the applicant where the couple has been living together for 12 months or more. This may include same-sex couples or de facto relationships.

New Zealand Spouse visa

Children 19 years of age or younger, unmarried, will be considered dependents. A New Zealand spouse visa allows you to bring your partner, who's dependent on working, living and studying in New Zealand. It is important that your partner is pursuing an eligible level 7 or 8 qualification or any level 9 or 10 qualification. The New Zealand spouse visa fee is NZD 700 (INR 36,100).

Other than this, an applicant needs to pay fees to apply offline for a New Zealand spouse visa is INR 36,800 and INR 1,715 as a centre fee. The processing time of this New Zealand spouse visa is 8 weeks. If you are applying for a dependent visa, your application must be reliant on being the partner of a student in New Zealand. There are certain criteria that need to be fulfilled before you may be granted a dependent visa.

Related Info: Student Guide to New Zealand (NZ)

Table of content
  • New Zealand Dependent Visa Requirements
  • Documents Required for a Spouse Visa in New Zealand
  • Working Partners of Student Visa Holders in New Zealand
  • How to Apply for a Spouse Visa in New Zealand?
  • Assessing a Student's Spouse Visa Application in New Zealand
  • New Zealand Spouse Visa Processing Time from India

New Zealand Dependent Visa Requirements

The immigration officer needs to be satisfied that the following criteria are met when an applicant files an application for a New Zealand spouse visa as an Indian:

  • The applicant couple complies with the minimum requirements for recognition of a partnership.
  • The couple is living together in a genuine and stable relationship.
  • Their partner (the main applicant for a student visa) supports the application.
  • Their partner (the main applicant for a student visa) meets the character requirements for partners supporting 'partnership-based temporary entry class visa applications.
  • Your partner must hold a New Zealand student visa to study for a level 7 or higher qualification on the NZQF in an area of skill shortage as specified in the Long Term Skill Shortage List or a postgraduate qualification.
  • Prove that you have NZD 4,200 worth of funds for your stay in New Zealand. Evidence of bank or credit card statements will work or even bank drafts and traveller's cheques can be submitted. 
  • Proof of good health through submission of chest x-ray or a medical examination.

Documents Required for a Spouse Visa in New Zealand

The following documents will be required for visa application purposes for a New Zealand spouse visa:

  1. Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your period of stay in New Zealand
  2. Completed Visa Application Form
  3. Application fee payment receipt
  4. Health insurance receipt
  5. You may be required to show Health and Character certificates to prove that your intention of staying in New Zealand is genuine
  6. Two passport-sized photographs
  7. Marriage certificate or evidence that guardians support the relationship (for 16 and 17-year-olds)
  8. Police Verification Certificate

Related Read:

In case of any other student visa holder, the spouse of the student visa holding partner can apply for a visitor visa based on the partnership.

How to Apply for a Spouse Visa in New Zealand?

In order to apply for a partnership-based temporary visa, applicants must first complete the Partnership-Based Temporary Visa Application (INZ 1198) form. In case the applicants are 16 or 17 years of age, their parents or legal guardians should sign the form on behalf of the applicants. This form should be sent along with the application fee and immigration fee, including all the necessary documents required for assessing the application. The final application is divided into four broad areas, namely:

  • Section A: Personal Details, which includes personal name, passport details and partnership details.
  • Section B: Contact Details 
  • Section C: Health of Applicant, which would include details about giving birth in New Zealand, medical certificates, etc.
  • Section D: Character Details, where the applicant will have to submit a police verification certificate (unless exempted).

Assessing a Student's Spouse Visa Application in New Zealand

At the time of applying for a student’s spouse visa in New Zealand, the decision depends mainly on the applicant’s personal situation. This includes their plans to return back to India and their personal finances. Strong connections back home can help the application. In short, you need to prove that you have enough reason to return home.

Besides personal details, the authorities will check if the applicant has followed the rules during any previous stays in New Zealand. Having unlawful dependents or facing deportation can also cause a spouse visa to be denied. This can be a serious problem for you as well. It is very important for applicants to provide honest and accurate information and avoid breaking any rules while in New Zealand.

Check out the reasons for New Zealand student visa rejection.

New Zealand Spouse Visa Processing Time from India

Those who are applying for a New Zealand spouse visa are usually worried about getting their visas in hand. The average processing time for a dependent's visa in New Zealand is around 43 days. However, 90% of the applications are assessed within 65 days. Thus, keeping in mind the New Zealand spouse visa processing times, applicants should apply for the visa accordingly. 

Those who already hold this visa and require renewal of the visa can request an interim dependent or spouse visa in New Zealand. The interim spouse visa in New Zealand is at zero cost. This is only applicable to those who were already holding this visa. This interim visa is automatically granted and hence no applications are to be submitted, plus it's valid for six months, and after that, if the applicant gets the renewed and extended spouse visa, he/she can stay or else they will have to leave the country.

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Q:   When is a spouse not eligible for a New Zealand partner visa?
A:

The following are some of the exceptions would apply and hamper an applicant's spouse to get a spouse visa in New Zealand if they are holding any of the following visa types:

  • Foreign Crew of Fishing Vessels Instructions
  • Working holiday schemes
  • Pacific Quotas Residual Places Work Visa Instructions
  • Recognised Seasonal Employer Work Instructions
  • Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE) Instructions
  • Silver Fern Job Search Instructions
  • Skilled Migrant Category Job Search Instructions
  • Essential Skills, if the partner is into a lower-skilled work
Q:   Can the spouse of a study visa applicant get a work visa in New Zealand?
A:

Those who are applying for a New Zealand spouse visa are usually worried about getting their visas in hand. The average processing time for a dependent's visa in New Zealand is around 43 days. However, 90% of the applications are assessed within 65 days. Thus, keeping in mind the New Zealand spouse visa processing times, applicants should apply for the visa accordingly. 

Those who already hold this visa and require renewal of the visa can request an interim dependent or spouse visa in New Zealand. 

Q:   Is New Zealand good for Indian students?
A:

With a good educational system, excellent quality of life, and a number of research opportunities, New Zealand offers a lot to international students. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand has a 39 percent population of overseas citizens, making it a culturally diverse city. Moreover, the post-study work visa in New Zealand can offer up to three years of stay back. As per Stats New Zealand, its unemployment rate is 3.4 percent. Students enrolled in a course of 12 months or more can also work part-time in New Zealand for up to 20 hours a week during the semester and holidays.

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Written by
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Hi, I am Raj. I help Indian students figure out study abroad without the confusion. For 8+ years, mostly in Ed-Tech, I have written about the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. I cover what peo Read Full Bio
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Comments

(15)

Can we apply for spouse visa with student visa if married since 5 months, because on NZ immigration website not mentioned any limit, please suggest.

Reply to Hrushikesh Gaikwad

Hello! Marriage has to be a minimum of 1 year old.

G

Grc Enterprises

2 years ago

hi can I apply my self as student partner work visa and for my child also. if yes need in details reference . or no then should I hire consultant is necessary

Reply to Grc Enterprises

Hello! Hiring a consultancy is a better idea as they have skill, knowledge and expertise in that area.

P

Priyanshu Rawat

2 years ago

hi there myself priyanshu- my father has the PR of new zealand and also he had put my document for PR , HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE AND will i be counted as a domestic student?

Reply to Priyanshu Rawat

Hello Priyanshu! You will have to get in touch with the concerned people in New Zealand for details on PR and domestic student eligibility. We only deal with admission, course and application related queries.

A

Arhan khan

2 years ago

Hi There - i am trying to understand if there will be any Visa interview questions for Partner of Student Visa application to NZ?

Reply to Arhan khan

Hello Lohith, The visa interview is conducted at the respective Embassy. They generally call the applicant but the partner should also be aware of the details. Unless the partner of the student is also applying for a spouse visa, they may not be called for an interview. Hope this helps!

B

Bala D

5 years ago

Hi, I hold MBA & BE degree. Do I need to apply NZQA for both the degrees to claim level 9 or should I apply NZQA only for MBA and attach the BE degree as my supporting document ?

Reply to Bala D

R

Rahul Singha

5 years ago

Hello Bala. Thank you for writing in. are you looking to immigrate to New Zealand?