PNRV — Partner of New Zealander Resident Visa

New Zealand•Oceania

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PNRV — Partner of New Zealander Resident Visa

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

5 months

Application Fee

4,290 NZD

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Overview

Indefinite NZ residence visa for partners of New Zealand citizens or residents, requiring 12 months of genuine cohabitation.

The Pacific Access Category (PAC) Resident Visa is a ballot-based residency pathway run by Immigration New Zealand for citizens of Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, and Tuvalu. It allocates a fixed annual quota — 250 places each for Fiji and Tonga and 75 each for Kiribati and Tuvalu in 2026 — by random draw rather than skills points.

Applicants must be 18-45 at registration close, hold a 12-month NZ job offer (or have a partner who does), and meet English, health, and character standards. Households with dependent children need NZD 55,404.96 in annual income. The fee is NZD 1,389, partners can work freely, dependents up to age 24 may be included, and holders may apply for the Permanent Resident Visa after two years.

This visa is ideal for working-age Fijian, Kiribati, Tongan, or Tuvaluan citizens with a confirmed NZ job offer seeking a low-cost ballot route to permanent residency.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident.

Must have lived together for at least 12 months at the time of application.

The supporting partner must be a New Zealand citizen or resident.

Must meet health and character requirements.

The supporting partner must be eligible to sponsor (limited to two partners in a lifetime and one in a five-year period).

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Relationship evidence

Marriage/civil union cert

Sponsor letter

Financial evidence

Residential evidence

Communication records

Medical certificate

Police certificate

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Indefinite stay in New Zealand with full rights to live, work, and study.
Pathway to a Permanent Resident Visa after 2 consecutive years on this visa.
Dependent children aged 24 or under can be included in the application.
Recognises marriage, civil union, and de facto relationships, opposite or same sex.
No job offer, education threshold, or minimum income required of the applicant.
Partner with NZ citizenship living overseas 5+ years can lead directly to a Permanent Resident Visa.

Worth Knowing

Application fee of NZD 5,360 (total starting cost including Immigration Levy).
Processing typically takes around 6.5 months (80th percentile).
Must evidence 12 months of cohabitation in a genuine and stable relationship at the time of application.
Supporting partner must complete the Partnership Support Form for Residence (INZ 1178).
Health and character (medical + police certificate) requirements apply.
Supporting partner has already sponsored a previous partner for residence within the past 5 years.
Supporting partner has sponsored more than 1 previous partner for residence in their lifetime.
Unable to evidence at least 12 months of genuine cohabitation at the time of application.

Application Process

Confirm eligibility: 12 months living together with a NZ citizen or resident partner in a genuine and stable relationship

Supporting partner completes Partnership Support Form for Residence (INZ 1178)

Gather relationship evidence: cohabitation, shared finances, communications, recognition by others

Apply online via Immigration NZ and pay NZD 5,360

Complete medical examination and obtain police certificates

Submit application; INZ assesses partnership credibility

Await decision: 80% decided within 6.5 months

After 2 consecutive years on this visa, apply for a Permanent Resident Visa

Application Forms

Partner of New Zealander Resident Visa Application (online)	Fill online
Partnership Support Form for Residence (INZ 1178)	Fill online

Verified Claims (8)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Confirm eligibility: 12 months living together with a NZ citizen or resident partner in a genuine an…	immigration.govt.nz
Fee Breakdown · 0 · amount	5360	immigration.govt.nz
Fee Breakdown · 0 · label	Total cost (application fee + Immigration Levy)	immigration.govt.nz
Forms	Partner of New Zealander Resident Visa Application (online); Partnership Support Form for Residence …	immigration.govt.nz
Max Child Age	24	immigration.govt.nz
Processing Estimates	{"percentile":80,"days":195,"unit":"calendar"}	immigration.govt.nz
Processing Time	80% within 6.5 months	immigration.govt.nz
Spouse Can Work	yes	immigration.govt.nz

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