New Zealand•OceaniaPNRV — Partner of New Zealander Resident Visa
At a Glance
7 months
NZD $5,360
Indefinite
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Indefinite NZ residence visa for partners of New Zealand citizens or residents, requiring 12 months of genuine cohabitation.
The Pacific Access Category (PAC) Resident Visa is a ballot-based residency pathway run by Immigration New Zealand for citizens of Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, and Tuvalu. It allocates a fixed annual quota — 250 places each for Fiji and Tonga and 75 each for Kiribati and Tuvalu in 2026 — by random draw rather than skills points.
Applicants must be 18-45 at registration close, hold a 12-month NZ job offer (or have a partner who does), and meet English, health, and character standards. Households with dependent children need NZD 55,404.96 in annual income. The fee is NZD 5,360, partners can work freely, dependents up to age 24 may be included, and holders may apply for the Permanent Resident Visa after two years.
This visa is ideal for working-age Fijian, Kiribati, Tongan, or Tuvaluan citizens with a confirmed NZ job offer seeking a low-cost ballot route to permanent residency.
Cost Breakdown
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Must have lived together for at least 12 months at the time of application.
The supporting partner must be a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Must meet health and character requirements.
The supporting partner must be qualifying to sponsor (limited to two partners in a lifetime and one in a five-year period).
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Relationship evidence
Marriage/civil union cert
Sponsor letter
Financial evidence
Residential evidence
Communication records
Medical certificate
Police certificate
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Indefinite stay in New Zealand with full rights to live, work, and study.
- Pathway to a Permanent Resident Visa after 2 consecutive years on this visa.
- Dependent children aged 24 or under can be included in the application.
- Recognises marriage, civil union, and de facto relationships, opposite or same sex.
- No job offer, education threshold, or minimum income required of the applicant.
- Partner with NZ citizenship living overseas 5+ years can lead directly to a Permanent Resident Visa.
Worth Knowing
- Application fee of NZD 5,360 (total starting cost including Immigration Levy).
- Processing typically takes around 6.5 months (80th percentile).
- Must evidence 12 months of cohabitation in a genuine and stable relationship at the time of application.
- Supporting partner must complete the Partnership Support Form for Residence (INZ 1178).
- Health and character (medical + police certificate) requirements apply.
- Supporting partner has already sponsored a previous partner for residence within the past 5 years.
- Supporting partner has sponsored more than 1 previous partner for residence in their lifetime.
- Unable to evidence at least 12 months of genuine cohabitation at the time of application.
Application Process
Confirm qualification
12 months living together with a NZ citizen or resident partner in a genuine and stable relationship
Supporting partner completes Partnership Support Form for Residence (INZ 1178)
Gather relationship evidence
cohabitation, shared finances, communications, recognition by others
Apply online via Immigration NZ and pay NZD 5,360
Complete medical examination and obtain police certificates
Submit application; INZ assesses partnership credibility
Await decision
80% decided within 6.5 months
After 2 consecutive years on this visa, apply for a Permanent Resident Visa
Application Forms
| Partner of New Zealander Resident Visa Application (online) | Fill online |
| Partnership Support Form for Residence (INZ 1178) | Fill online |
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- Bereaved Partner Visa
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- Ni-Vanuatu Descent Visa
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