October has been a big month for immigration! Early October brought about a surge in Immigration New Zealand (INZ) application fees for partnership applications. Some application fees almost doubled (if not more). For example, the Partnership Work Visa (PWV) application fees increased from NZD$860 to NZD$1,630. The Partnership Visitor Visa (PVV), a visa that is rarely needed, has had its application fee increased from NZD$211 to NZD$341.

At the end of October, our Team presented an insightful webinar on visa applications based on partnerships. We included information that was useful for partners of temporary visa holders as well as partners of New Zealand Citizens and Residents. The timing could not have been better because that very day, the policy reflecting the upcoming partnership visa changes was released.

The presentation of the webinar, along with the significant fee hike, emphasised what we already knew: now, more than ever, it is integral to get an application right at the get-go! The financial and emotional costs associated with visa applications make the stakes high. So, to help you navigate the process, we’ve compiled our top six tips for applying for partnership-based visas:

1. ‍Apply as soon as possible! – At the time of writing this article (13 November 2024), 80% of PWVs are being processed within 8 weeks and 80% of partnership residence visas are being processed within 8 months. Our tip is to start gathering all the evidence as soon as you start living together (if possible) and to apply at least one month in advance of your current visa expiry. If you are offshore and are applying for a PWV, we encourage you to apply at least 4 months prior to your intended travel to New Zealand. When you apply, we suggest providing as much evidence as possible to ensure that your application is "decision-ready". It is possible to continue adding documentation to your application post-lodgement such as new photos, new living together evidence, and recent call and chat history. Essentially, the more evidence you supply, the better.‍
2. No 3-month rule! – We often hear from clients about the "3-month rule". Which is, that you need to live together for three months before an application can be made. This is not true, there is no 3-month rule in immigration policy or in the Immigration Act 2009. The PVV and PWV require living together evidence to be provided at the time of lodgement and during the processing, and these applications can be done any time after you begin living together with your partner. Of course, the greater the period of cohabitation, the better. But there is no such thing as the "3-month" rule!
3. ‍Support Letters – Support letters must be genuine, and our top tip is that they must reflect the true feelings of the individual writing them. Think about friends, family, or even colleagues who would be willing to write a letter with a few lines confirming the nature of your relationship. The format of these letters is usually very simple. They involve an introduction of the person writing the letter, a brief explanation as to how they know the couple, and, any further information they would like INZ to know about the couple's relationship. However, this is just a suggestion, and a friend or a family member can structure it how they want, often making the letter even more impactful as it personalises it. Where letters are being written by friends and/or family who do not speak English, we often recommend that a letter be written in the language they are most comfortable communicating in and then having that letter translated. That maintains the true feelings of the writer but also reflects the authenticity of the letter being written.‍
4. Relationship Timeline Letters –   Relying on templates completed by others is not the best way to go about drafting a relationship timeline letter. Relationship timeline letters are unique to each couple and give you the opportunity to demonstrate to INZ that behind all the paperwork, are two individuals who care about each other and are in a relationship that is genuine, stable, and has been entered into with an intention to maintain it for the long-term. Our tip is not just to talk about how you feel about each other but also talk about how you met, your day-to-day life with each other, your current and future plans, and anything else you believe may be important to let INZ know. Often there can be an event that is important to a couple but is unique to them, supported by an anecdotal story that explains what made that date so important to them. It's also important to not think that you're writing to a faceless government department, but that you're writing to another human, who may understand any emotion or feeling you put into your letter. Essentially, the relationship timeline letter is your opportunity to relay the information you want about your relationship to INZ, so we recommend using this to your advantage.‍
5. Chat Logs – Sometimes, less, is more. This is certainly the case for chat logs. You are required to provide evidence of communication, but you are certainly not required to provide thousands of pages of evidence. You are not required to disclose information that may be sensitive or conversations that may be private to both of you. Therefore, a selection of evidence is usually sufficient as long as it spans over a reasonable timeframe. For others, where there is little other evidence, substantial chat evidence may be something that can push an application into success. It's often about gauging whether your application needs it or not.‍
6. Seek Legal Advice – We deal with complex matters daily and are equipped with the knowledge on how to best handle any situation. A visa application is an investment in your immigration journey and future in New Zealand. Handling (what may be) a complex situation, without comprehensive legal guidance can only add to the risk of a decline. To avoid this, we suggest talking to the experts.

McVeagh Fleming's immigration team assists individuals, families, and businesses nationally and internationally. We speak a range of languages and are here to assist you at any stage of your immigration journey. If we can assist you and your families in uniting in New Zealand, please contact our Immigration team on visa@mcveaghfleming.co.nz. 

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