New Zealand•OceaniaVictims of Family Violence Resident Visa
At a Glance
7 months
Free
Indefinite
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Overview
Permanent residence for people who experienced family violence while in a partnership with a New Zealand citizen or resident, with no application fee.
Issued by Immigration New Zealand, the Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa lets someone who was in a partnership with a NZ citizen or resident, and was abused by a family member they lived with, apply for residence independently. Applicants must be unable to return home and must meet INZ health and character requirements.
Residence is granted indefinitely with full work and study rights and travel conditions valid for 2 years from first arrival. No application fee or immigration levy is charged. Dependent children aged 24 or younger can be included. INZ benchmarks 80% within 5 months when evidence of the partnership and the family violence is complete.
This visa is ideal for partners of NZ citizens or residents who have left an abusive relationship in New Zealand and cannot safely return home.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must have been in a partnership with a New Zealand citizen or resident that has ended
Must be a victim of family violence by a family member or someone close who you lived with in a family relationship
Must be unable to return to your home country due to lack of independent financial support or risk of abuse/exclusion
Must be able to provide acceptable evidence of family violence (e.g. Protection Order, conviction, police complaint, or 3 statutory declarations)
Must meet health and character requirements (medical, X-ray, police certificates)
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Original passport or certified copy and 2 acceptable passport-style photos
Evidence of the partnership with a NZ citizen or resident (marriage certificate, shared residence documents, joint finances, etc.)
Evidence of family violence: Protection Order, NZ family-violence conviction, NZ Police complaint with Police confirmation, OR 3 statutory declarations (1 from you + 2 from authorised professionals)
Evidence of inability to return home (employment/education history, treatment of separated/single people in home community)
Police certificates (less than 6 months old) from each country of citizenship and any country lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years
Medical certificate and chest X-ray from an approved panel doctor
Completed form INZ 1197
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- No application fee and no immigration levy charged
- Grants residence indefinitely with full work and study rights
- Direct pathway to a Permanent Resident Visa after meeting travel conditions
- Dependent children aged 24 or younger can be included on the application
- Self-petitioned — does not require sponsorship by the former partner
- 80% of applications decided within 5 months when evidence is complete
Worth Knowing
- Requires qualifying evidence of family violence (Protection Order, conviction, police complaint, or statutory declarations)
- Must demonstrate inability to return home due to lack of support or risk of abuse
- Health checks (medical and chest X-ray) and police certificates from every country lived in 12+ months are required
- Travel conditions expire 2 years after first arrival; further travel needs a variation or Permanent Resident Visa
- Failure to meet INZ health or character requirements
- Cannot produce qualifying evidence that the partnership ended due to family violence
- Able to safely return home with adequate financial and community support
Application Process
Confirm qualification on the INZ Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa page
Gather evidence of the partnership with a NZ citizen/resident and of family violence (Protection Order, conviction, police complaint, or 3 statutory declarations)
Obtain police certificates from each country of citizenship and any country lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years
Complete a medical examination and chest X-ray with an approved panel doctor
Complete application form INZ 1197 (Residence Application — Victims of Family Violence)
Submit the application to Immigration New Zealand (no application fee or immigration levy is charged)
Application Forms
| Application for Residence as a Victim of Family Violence | Fill online |
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- Asylum Seeker Visa
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- Bridging visa E (BVE) - Protection Visa Applicant
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- Residence Permit for Victims of Human Trafficking
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