Visas that your family might apply for
You can typically support the following visas for your partner and dependent children with a work visa:
- a work visa for your partner
- a visitor’s visa for your partner or kids
- a student visa for your kids
Your partner and children’s visas will expire at the same time as your work visa. This means that if your work visa is due to expire, you will need to apply for new visas for your partner and children as well, so that everyone’s legal status remains valid.
Who is not eligible to sponsor visas for their family?
If you hold any of the following visas, your partner or dependent kid cannot support a work, visitor, or student visa for you:
- a fishing crew work visa
- a working holiday visa
- a restricted visa granted through the Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) or Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE) programmes
- a passport called a Silver Fern Job Search
- One works as a diplomat’s domestic staff
If you hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa
If you hold a valid Accredited Employer Work Visa, you’re eligible to provide support with
- a work visa for your partner, if you are paid the median wage or above
- a work visa for your partner as well as visitor or student visas for your dependent children, if you earn at least the median salary (NZD $43,322.76 annually).
If your pay is below the median salary, you can only support a visitor visa for your partner.
To find out the pay scale for your position, check your visa or approval letter
From 31st May 2023
Holders of Partners of Accredited Employer Work Visas who submit for a new work visa after May 31st, 2023, will have the following restrictions added to their visa, if approved:
- They need to be employed by an Accredited Employer and make at least the median salary.
- If someone works in a position covered by an uncapped sector agreement, their pay can be below the median wage but must meet the wage threshold for their role.
Other points to consider:
- The existing work visa for your partner won’t be impacted by this shift. Only new applications will be subject to these restrictions.
- Your partner will have open work rights and these immigration requirements won’t apply to them if you hold a position on our Green List or are paid at least twice the median salary.
- Your partner won’t be qualified for a partnership-based work visa if you are paid less than the median wages.
- Stand-down times won’t apply to your partner if they hold a position protected by a sector agreement.
- If your partner is subject to a cap on their role under a sector agreement, they won’t be allowed to work in that position. Currently, this applies to meat processing and seafood processing workers.
Those who holds an Essential Skills Work Visa
If you have a Essential Skills visa, you can help with
- Visitor visas for partners
- As long as you satisfy the income criteria, which is presently NZD $43,322.76 per year, you may obtain visitor or student visas for dependents.
You can also assist your partner’s work visa if your pay is at or above the median salary.
To find out the pay scale for your position, check your visa or approval letter.
From 31st May 2023
The following restrictions will be imposed on Partners of Essential Skills Work Visa holders who apply for new work visas, if they are approved:
- They need to be employed by an Accredited Employer and make at least the median salary.
- Even though they must be paid the wage threshold for their job if they work in a position protected by an uncapped sector agreement, they can be paid less than the median wage.
AEWV roles exempt from paying the median wage
Other points to consider:
- The existing work visa for your partner won’t be impacted by this shift. Only new applications will be subject to these restrictions.
- Your partner will have open work rights and these immigration requirements won’t apply to them if you hold a position on our Green List or are paid at least twice the median salary.
- Your partner won’t be qualified for a partnership-based work visa if you are paid less than the median wages.
- Stand-down times won’t apply to your partner if they hold a position protected by a sector agreement.
- If a cap is in place for a position protected by a sector agreement, your partner is not permitted to perform that job.
If you have applied ESWV before July 27, 2020
You can sponsor a work visa for your partner if you applied for an Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV) before 27 July 2020 and were rated as high or mid-skilled. If you’re unsure of what ability category your work falls under, check the visa or approval letter.
You can only assist a partner’s work visa if the following conditions are met:
- If you haven’t been subject to a stand-down time and your partner had a visa that was founded on your relationship as of August 28, 2017;
- You finished your study in New Zealand, and your student visa allowed you to sponsor your partner for a work visa. Then, based on your relationship with them, you sponsored them for visas while working here on a post-study work visa.
If your partner wishes to work but you make less than the median salary, they must apply for their own work visa.
Submitting a visa application based on your relationship to a holder of an Essential Skills work visa (partners and dependent children)
Partners and dependent children who are in New Zealand no longer need to provide doctor and police credentials, and:
- based on the relationship to a person who currently holds or is seeking for an Essential Skills visa, and who previously submitted medical
- and criminal clearances to Immigration New Zealand with a visa application
You can decide to still send any medical or police documents you’ve already received for your visa application.
Paper applications can be submitted for a dependent child or a partner (Partnership-Based Temporary Visa Application, INZ 1198) respectively. (Student Visa Application INZ 1012, or Visitor Visa Application INZ 1017).
Use the most current version of the form if you’re using a printed one to prevent delays in processing.
Student Visa Application (INZ 1012)PDF 450KB
Visitor Visa Application (INZ 1017)PDF 397KB
Partnership-based Temporary Visa Application (INZ 1198)PDF 332KB
Visas that allow you to join family
Conclusion
In conclusion, bringing your family to New Zealand while on a Work Visa can be a complex process that requires careful planning and preparation. It is important to understand the requirements and eligibility criteria for your particular situation, as well as any potential challenges that may arise during the application process.
At Immigration Chambers, we have a team of experienced immigration lawyers who can assist you with every step of the process. We can help you understand the Work Visa New Zealand requirements, prepare and submit your application, and ensure that you and your family are prepared for a successful relocation.
So if you’re thinking about bringing your family to New Zealand on a Work Visa, don’t hesitate to contact us at Immigration Chambers. Our team is here to help you navigate the process and achieve your immigration goals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get started on your journey to a better future in New Zealand.