Working temporarily in New Zealand while joining your partner
If your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident, they can support or sponsor your application for a temporary Work Permit to join them in New Zealand. To be eligible they must:
- not have been supported or sponsored as a partner within the last five years
- not have supported or sponsored more than one other person as a partner
- not have supported or sponsored a partner within the last five years
- not have been the reason someone else was granted New Zealand residence because of domestic violence, in the 7 years prior to the date the application is made
- meet the character requirement for partners supporting Partnership policy applications.
Studying in New Zealand
A sponsor is a third party – someone other than yourself – who undertakes to meet the costs of your travel back home at the completion of your training, if necessary. Usually we require some form of written guarantee from your sponsor.
As a student you can also offer a sponsor as evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover your living and accommodation costs during your stay in New Zealand.
Visiting New Zealand
A sponsor is a New Zealand friend or relative who guarantees your outward travel, living and accommodation costs during your visit to New Zealand. Instead of evidence of funds for your maintenance and accommodation while in New Zealand, you may produce evidence of sponsorship by way of a fully completed Sponsorship Form for Visiting New Zealand (NZIS 1025) PDF.
The sponsor must be:
- a New Zealand citizen, or
- the holder of a residence permit not subject to requirements imposed under section 18A of the Immigration Act 1987 (see RA40 in the Operations Manual ), or
- a person exempt under section 12(1) of the Immigration Act 1987 from having to hold a permit .