Partners (see E4.1.20) of New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders may be granted a work visa provided that:

 a. they are living together in a genuine and stable relationship (see E4.5.25, E4.5.30 and E4.5.5); and

 b. the New Zealand partner intends to be in New Zealand for the same period of time applied for by the applicant; and

   i. complies with the minimum requirements for recognition of partnerships (see E4.5.15 and F2.15); and

   ii. meets the character requirements for partners supporting‘partnership-based temporary entry applications’set out at E7.45; and

   iii. is an eligible partner under residence family category instructions (see F2.10.10).

 The duration of any visa granted under these instructions is dependent on the time spent living together in a partnership but must not exceed 24 months from:

 i. the date the first partnership visa was granted if it was granted onshore; or 

 ii. the first date of arrival if the partnership visa was granted offshore.

 If the couple has lived together in a partnership for 12 months or more at the time the application is assessed, a work visa may be granted for the length of the couple’s intended stay, up to a maximum of 24 months.​

  If the couple has lived together in a partnership for less than 12 months at the time the application is assessed, then the first visa granted under these instructions must not exceed 12 months’duration. Further visas may be granted upon application for up to a maximum of 24 months from the date the first partnership visa was granted or the first date of arrival if the partnership visa was granted offshore if: 

  i. during the validity of the first visa an application for a residence class visa under Partnership Category is made and the principal applicant wishes to remain in New Zealand pending a decision on their application; or

  ii. the couple wish to spend more time in New Zealand and an immigration officer is satisfied they are still living together in a genuine and stable partnership.

  a. When determining the eligibility of the New Zealand partner to support a work visa application, immigration officers must consider whether the partner will be eligible to support a partnership-based residence class visa application (see F2.10.10) within 12 months of the grant of the visa. 

  b. If the New Zealand partner would not be eligible to support a residence class visa application under Partnership Category within 12 months of the grant of the visa, the application for the work visa may be declined.

  Immigration officers must sight evidence of the following:

  a. the supporting partner’s New Zealand citizenship or New Zealand residence status; and

  b. the applicant’s relationship with their New Zealand partner; and

  c. that the applicant and their New Zealand partner are living together in a genuine and stable partnership at the time the application is made (see F2.20); and

  d. the Form for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based Temporary Entry Applications (INZ 1146) completed by the New Zealand partner; and

  e. that the applicant and their New Zealand partner are intending to live in New Zealand for the same period of time. 

  a. If an immigration officer has deferred a final decision, on a non-principal applicant partner included in a residence application, because the partnership with the principal applicant is genuine and stable but less than the 12 months required (see R2.1.15.5(b)), then:

  i. provided the principal applicant is granted a residence class visa, and

  ii. an application for a work visa is made by the non-principal applicant partner for the purpose of continuing to live together with the principal applicant partner,

a work visa may be granted to the non-principal applicant for a period sufficient to enable the qualifying period to be met and any further assessment of their residence application to be completed.