New Zealand is a wonderful country to move to. It offers many opportunities for the young to study, earn more than in other parts of the world. Many people who migrate to New Zealand mentioned that they tripled their monthly income, and living standards are higher than in other countries. You may have different reasons to move to or travel to New Zealand, and you will have many visa options depending on your purpose and status. I mainly focus on the New Zealand spouse visa and New Zealand study visa with spouse in this post.
Do you need a visa for New Zealand?
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All travellers arriving in New Zealand by plane or cruise ship will be required a visa and valid document. Only travellers with a New Zealand or Australian passport are exempt from the visa requirements. The fastest, easiest and cheapest way to do this is to apply for an online visa system. Before submitting your application, please check that you meet all requirements and do not exceed the maximum length of stay of 3 months. The good news in advance is that if your country has a bilateral agreement with the New Zealand government, you do not need a visa for a stay of up to three months. You can find the list here. However, you must have a return or onward flight and be able to prove the financial means on request. I will talk about the New Zealand spouse visa requirement in detail. Additionally, similar to the USA or Canada, there is also an electronic entry permit for New Zealand. It is called NZeTA and can easily be applied online. However, if your intention is not to go on vacation but to emigrate or work in the kiwis land, you need a New Zealand visa. Either a classic work and travel visa or a New Zealand work or study visa with spouse.
What types of visas are there in New Zealand?
There are special visas for the different purposes why you can decide to go to New Zealand. However, if you are a citizen of a country with a bilateral visa agreement, you are exempt from the classic visitor visa. A New Zealand vacation visa is therefore not required. Visas are, for example, issued for students, workers, people who want to live permanently in New Zealand, family reunification, and start a business. Of course, you shouldn't forget the Working Holiday Visa either. Working Holiday Visa With the Working Holiday Visa, you can vacation in New Zealand for up to 12 months and work during that time to finance your stay. Apprenticeship periods of up to a maximum of 6 months are also permitted. Student Visa There are different student visas in New Zealand, each of which has its purpose. For example, you can apply for it if you come to New Zealand as an exchange student or coming to New Zealand as a student. Many study visas allow you to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week in addition to your studies. Full-time work is even allowed during the holidays. The exact regulations depend on the visa you have been assigned. Youn can also apply for a spouse visa for New Zealand with student visa. Work Visas As in the case of study visas, there are various work visas. One example is the "Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa". You can apply for this if you have a lot of experience in your job and are under 55 years of age. Of course, knowledge of English is also required. With this New Zealand visa, you can even bring your family and children under 24 years of age. Alternatively, there is also a "Post Study Work Visa" that you can use when you have completed your studies in New Zealand. The "Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa" can also be suitable if you have the right skills. In addition, there is a spouse visa for New Zealand with student visa with which you can complete practical parts of a degree or training course. For example, if you need to do practical work to complete a study program, complete a religious training program, are training to be a jockey, or get medical training. Family Visa for family reunification If someone in your family already lives or is a New Zealand citizen, there is also the option of applying for a family reunification visa. Two examples are the "Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa" and "Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa". The first option is about coming to your (New Zealand) partner in New Zealand to live together in the country. On the other, however, the intention is to pursue a job. There is also a "Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa". It allows you to live together with your partner in New Zealand, but only temporarily as a visitor. A start of work is then not permitted. New Zealand citizens or permanent visa holders must guarantee their parents to visit the country. The submission of an expression of interest is required. The visa application can be submitted upon special invitation by the immigration authorities. For the parents of a New Zealand resident or permanent visa holder, there must be an investment of NZ $ 1 million over four years for a retirement visa. Visa for children of a New Zealand citizen or permanent visa holder up to 18 under certain circumstances up to 24 can also be easily applied and acquired.
What is the cost of a New Zealand visa?
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The cost of a New Zealand visa varies depending on which visa is applied for. You can get an overview of the different costs for the New Zealand visa and the period of validity. For example, the application fee for Working Holiday Visa is 245 NZD which allows a 1-year stay, Fee Paying Student Visa 330 NZD for up to 4 years, Exchange Student Visa 330 NZD up to 4 years, Student and Trainee Work Visa 530 NZD for 6 months, Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa 530 NZD permanently, Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa 635 NZD 30 months, Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa 635 NZD for 2 years if the relationship is longer than 12 months, otherwise 1 year, Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa 2250 NZD permanently, and Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa 211 NZD up to 2 years.
How long is a New Zealand spouse visa processing time?
The processing time for the various visas is very different. You can get more detailed information on a specially set up page of the New Zealand immigration authorities. When applying online, a waiting time of 4 months is currently estimated for a "Working Holiday Visa", 6 months for a "Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa" and 13 months for a "Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa". On the other hand, due to the pandemic, the New Zealand spouse visa processing time for students is up to 75 days, depending on the country you are applying in.
Additional New Zealand spouse visa requirement
For the "Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa": - Possibly proof of an X-ray of the upper body and/or a medical examination - The partner must be New Zealander or have permanent residency status - Proof of the actual existence of the partnership - Proof of financial means using a job offer, own assets, or the assumption of costs by the employer - The partner must support the application - Plans to live in New Zealand For the "Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa": - Proof of an X-ray of the upper body and a medical examination - The partner must be New Zealander or have permanent residency status - Partners who are not New Zealanders must live in New Zealand - Proof of the actual existence of the partnership (at least 12 months relationship) For the "Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa": - Possibly proof of an X-ray of the upper body and/or a medical examination - The partner must be New Zealander or have permanent residency status - The partner must support the application - Partner must be in New Zealand at visiting time - Proof of the actual existence of the partnership - At least NZD 1000 for each month of stay or NZD 400 per month for which accommodation has already been paid for - Return / onward ticket
How to prove the relationship of a couple?
Applicants of the New Zealand spouse visa will need to prove their relationship. Here are some examples of the evidence that they can present to show that they are a couple: - Joint bank account - Contract for the rental or purchase of furniture or property - Correspondence / Taxes - Photos - Common passages (air tickets and vouchers) - Marriage certificate or book - Cards - Proof from the landlord that they lived together - Children - Minimum time living together or as a couple. If you apply for the partner visa through a person who is on a work visa, there is no minimum time of coexistence required, but they do require proof that they are living together at the time of applying for this visa.
