New Zealand Updates Visa Rules with New Age Requirements

Immigration New Zealand announced significant changes to partnership-based visa requirements, with new age rules effective from 25 September 2026. Under these updated rules, both partners must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.

Only evidence collected when both individuals are 18 or older will be recognized for assessing partnership claims. This affects nine visa categories, including the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa and Partner of a Worker Work Visa.

The standard 12-month cohabitation requirement will now only begin counting once both partners have turned 18, effectively raising the minimum age for partnership residence qualification to 19. For temporary visa applicants, any relationship evidence predating either partner's 18th birthday will not be considered as part of the application.