New Zealand•OceaniaPartner of a Student Work Visa
At a Glance
2 months
NZD $1,630
Same duration as the partner’s student visa
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Overview
Open work-rights visa for partners of qualifying postgraduate or Green List students in New Zealand; NZD 1,630 application fee.
The Partner of a Student Work Visa lets the partner of a qualifying international student live and work in New Zealand for the same duration as the student's visa. Issued by Immigration New Zealand, it requires a genuine, stable relationship and a supporting partner studying a level 9 or 10 qualification, or a Green List or Post-Study Work Visa level 7 or 8 qualification.
The application fee is NZD 1,630 and 80% of decisions are issued within 6.5 weeks. The visa carries open work rights with no employer or job-offer requirement, and allows short-term study of up to 3 months. Applicants must show NZD 4,200 in funds and meet health and character checks. It does not lead directly to permanent residence.
This visa is ideal for partners of postgraduate or Green List-qualified students who want full work rights in New Zealand during their partner's study.
Cost Breakdown
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be in a genuine and stable relationship with the supporting partner and living together
Supporting partner must hold a New Zealand student visa studying a level 9 or 10 qualification, or a level 7 or 8 qualification on the Green List or Post-Study Work Visa list (MFAT-funded scholarship students also qualify)
Must have at least NZD 4,200 in funds for living expenses
Must meet health and character requirements
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Proof of a genuine and stable relationship (cohabitation, shared finances, communications, third-party recognition)
Evidence of the supporting partner's student visa and qualifying enrolment
Proof of at least NZD 4,200 in maintenance funds
Valid passport or travel document
Health certificates (medical and chest X-ray where required)
Police certificates where required (typically for stays of 24 months or longer)
Completed Form INZ 1146 (Partners Supporting Partnership-Based Temporary Entry Applications)
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Open work rights — work for any employer in any role
- No job offer or employer sponsorship required
- Issued for the same duration as the supporting partner's student visa
- Allows short-term study of up to 3 months during the visa
- Travel in and out of New Zealand permitted
- Application processed in 6.5 weeks for 80% of cases
- NZD 4,200 funds threshold is modest compared with most NZ work-visa categories
Worth Knowing
- Visa duration tied to the supporting partner's student visa — expires when their visa expires
- Only granted if the partner's student visa is approved
- Supporting partner's course must be a qualifying NZQF level 9 or 10, or Green List / Post-Study Work Visa level 7 or 8
- Genuine and stable relationship evidence (cohabitation, shared finances) is mandatory
- Application fee is NZD 1,630, payable per applicant
- Supporting partner is studying a qualification that is not on the qualifying NZQF level 9/10, Green List, or Post-Study Work Visa lists
- Relationship is not deemed genuine and stable by Immigration New Zealand
- Cannot meet health or good-character requirements
Application Process
Verify the supporting partner's course is on the qualifying qualifications list (NZQF level 9/10, or Green List / Post-Study Work Visa level 7/8)
Supporting partner completes Form for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based Temporary Entry Applications (INZ 1146)
Gather relationship evidence (cohabitation, shared finances, communications, recognition by others)
Submit the application online via Immigration Online together with health and character documentation
Wait for the supporting partner's student visa to be granted — the work visa is only issued if their visa is approved
Application Forms
| Immigration Online Portal | Fill online |
| INZ 1146 — Form for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based Temporary Entry Applications | Fill online |
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