• Are in a genuine and stable marriage or de facto relationship (whether heterosexual or same sex) with a New Zealand citizen or resident who sponsors their application; or

• Have immediate family members who are New Zealand citizens or residents and who live permanently in New Zealand; and

• Are the dependent children of New Zealand citizens or residents?

Spouse/Fiancé(e) Visas
Both partners under a New Zealand unmarried partner, fiancé(e) or marriage visa application must be 18 years of age or older or have parental/guardian/other consent if between 16 and 18 years of age.

A partner of a principal New Zealand unmarried partner, fiancé or marriage visa applicant is someone who has been legally married to the applicant, or in a close living relationship that is similar to marriage, for 12 months or more. It may be a relationship between people of the opposite or the same sex. The applicants must have been living together for a minimum of 12 months in a genuine and stable relationship, whether married or not.

The minimum requirements for recognition of a partnership are that the applicants:

• Are both 18 years of age or older (or have parental/guardian/other consent if between 16 and 18 years of age), and

• Have met each other prior to submitting an application, and

• are not close relatives.

In addition to the minimum requirements outlined above, basic standards of health and character have to be met in order to lodge a successful New Zealand Unmarried Partner, Fiancé and Marriage Visas application.

Parent Visas
You may be eligible for a parent visa if you meet the following requirements:

• You are the parent of an adult child 17 or over who is a New Zealand citizen/resident

• AND the "centre of gravity" of your family is in New Zealand

The "centre of gravity"- New Zealand refers to the centre of gravity in determining if a parent is eligible for immigration. This refers to the location of your children. As the principal applicant, the centre of gravity of your family is in New Zealand if:

• you have no dependent children – you have an equal or greater number of adult children living lawfully and permanently in New Zealand than any other single country, including your home country

  or

• you have dependent children – you have an equal or greater number of adult children living lawfully and permanently in New Zealand than in any other single country, including your home country. The number of your dependent children must be the same as, or less than, then number of adult children living lawfully and permanently in New Zealand.

Sponsorship requirements
You will need a sponsor for this visa. Your sponsor must:

• Be 17 or over

• Be in New Zealand

• Be a citizen/resident not subject to the requirements of section 18A of the Immigration Act 1987

• Have been a New Zealand/Australian citizen/ resident for at least three (3) years immediately before the date of your application

• And in each of the three 12-month portions within that three-year period, have spent a total of 184 days or more in New Zealand

• And be willing and eligible to ensure financial support and accommodation is provided if necessary for the first 24 months of the your stay

Complete WBC's Evaluation Worksheet to find out if you qualify to apply under New Zealand's Family Class category.