Partnership
New Zealand’s Partnership-Based Residence category allows eligible partners of New Zealand citizens and residents to apply for residence based on their genuine and stable relationship.
This pathway often involves working through both a temporary visa and then residence application.
This pathway recognises the importance of keeping families together and provides a clear route for couples who intend to build their lives in New Zealand.
It applies to both married and de facto couples, as well as civil unions, provided the relationship meets Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) requirements.
For many migrants, this is one of the most accessible residence pathways - but it still requires strong evidence, careful preparation, and a clear understanding of INZ’s partnership rules.
Parents
New Zealand offers two separate pathways to residence for parents, including a standard parent category pathway, which is run on a ballot-style selection system and then also our Parent Retirement category, which gives those parents with access to investment funds the ability to apply sooner.
For the standard parent category, applicants must be sponsored by an adult child, earning a suitable level of income in New Zealand. The process consists of two separate steps - the first being the submission of an expression of interest (EOI) and the second being a formal application (once the EOI is selected).
The Parent Retirement category allows those with a total of NZD$1.5 million to avoid the EOI ballot system, provided they can invest NZD$1 million of those funds in to NZ and earn a suitable annual income.
If you are considering bringing your parents to New Zealand, then the Navigate Immigration team can help, starting with an initial assessment.