Partner of a Student Visa Holder — Open Work Visa in New Zealand

New Zealand encourages family unity by allowing the partners of certain international students to join them while they study. The Partner of a Student Work Visa offers eligible partners the right to live — and in some cases, work — in New Zealand for the duration of the student’s course. However, work rights are not automatic and depend largely on the level of study the student is undertaking and their field of study.

• Be in a genuine and stable relationship with a student visa holder (as a spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner).
• Provide strong evidence of the relationship — such as shared rental agreements, bank accounts, or marriage certificates.
• The student must be:
  • Studying a Level 7+ qualification on the Green List, or
  • Enrolled in a postgraduate (Level 8 or higher) qualification, or
  • Studying towards a qualification that leads to registration in a Green List occupation.
• The partner must meet New Zealand’s health and character requirements.

• If the student is studying a Green List or postgraduate course:
  • The partner may be granted an Open Work Visa with no job restrictions.
  • They can work full-time for any employer in any industry.
• If the student is not studying a qualifying course:
  • The partner may only be eligible for a Visitor Visa (no work rights).
  • To gain work rights, they may need to apply under a different visa category (e.g., AEWV).

• The visa is usually granted for the same length as the student’s visa.
• If the student extends their stay, the partner must apply for a visa extension too.
• Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks, depending on the application and workload.