From 25 Sep 2026: age 18+ and evidence rules for partnership visas

From 25 September 2026, INZ applies new age and evidence rules for a number of partnership-based visas. Both the applicant and the supporting partner must be 18 or older at the time of lodging. INZ only recognises relationship evidence from when both people were already 18.

Visa types affected include:

• Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander (Resident / Visitor / Work)
• Partner of a Worker (Visitor / Work)
• Partner of a Student (Visitor / Work)
• Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa

The rules do not apply when a partner is included in residence under Skilled, Business, International, Humanitarian, or family categories that are not partnership-based, or in other pathways INZ lists as out of scope.

If you are preparing a partnership application around this date, check that both of you meet the age rule and that your evidence timeline starts from age 18.