In plain English
Both partners must now be 18 or over when applying, and INZ only counts relationship evidence from when both turned 18. For partnership-based residence that usually means both must be at least 19.
Key points
- Applies to 9 dedicated partnership categories, including Partner of a New Zealander and Partner of a Worker visas.
- Doesn’t apply to partners included in Skilled, Business or other non-partnership residence applications.
- Resident applications lodged before 25 September 2026 are not affected.
- Some online forms won’t be updated immediately — check requirements before submitting.
Who’s affected
Couples applying for partnership-based visitor, work or resident visas.
What you should do
Review your relationship evidence timeline with us before you lodge.
Immigration New Zealand, “New age and evidence rules for partnership visas”, published 25 September 2026. Read the full announcement. Summary by Destination NZI; INZ content © Crown, licensed under CC BY 3.0 NZ.
Related visas
Live in New Zealand with your partner who is a citizen or resident. New age and evidence rules apply from 25 September 2026.
- Stay
- Live, work and study indefinitely
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $5,360
- Processing
- 80% within 7 months
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
Work in New Zealand while your partner is a citizen or resident. Moving to enhanced Immigration Online from 16 November 2026.
- Stay
- Up to 3 years
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $1,630
- Processing
- 80% within 6.5 weeks
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
Work while your partner is in New Zealand on an eligible work visa.
- Stay
- Same as partner’s work visa
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $1,630
- Processing
- 80% within 7 weeks
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
