Immigration New Zealand announced that new age and evidence requirements for partnership‑based visas will take effect on 25 September 2026.

Both the visa applicant and the sponsoring partner must be at least 18 years old at the time the application is lodged.

The rule applies to nine dedicated partnership visa types, including the Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa and various Partner of a New Zealander and Partner of a Worker visas.

Relationship evidence will only be considered if it was gathered after both parties had reached the age of 18, meaning the 12‑month co‑habitation period for residence visas can only start after that milestone.

Temporary partnership visas do not require a 12‑month co‑habitation period, but applicants must still provide sufficient post‑18 documentation to prove a genuine relationship.

Existing applications submitted before the 25 September deadline, as well as visas already granted, will continue to be assessed under the previous rules.

The changes do not affect residence applications under non‑partnership streams such as Skilled, Business, International or Humanitarian categories, nor general visitor visas.

Immigration New Zealand warned that some online forms may not reflect the new criteria immediately and advised applicants and migration advisers to verify the current requirements on the official website before applying.