A Complete Guide to Partner Visas, Eligibility, Costs & Application Process
Migration for love — or for long-term partnership — is one of the most meaningful pathways into a new country. For many people, the chance to work, study, and build a life with their partner in New Zealand or Australia is both exciting and life-changing. Both countries offer partner-based visas, but the rules, benefits, fees, and requirements vary significantly.
This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of partner/marriage visas in New Zealand and Australia, including work rights, study rights, costs, financial responsibilities, eligibility criteria, and a clear explanation of each visa type.
Why Partner Visas Are Important
Partner visas are specifically designed for people who are:
- Married to a citizen, resident, or eligible visa holder
- In a de facto (genuine long-term) relationship
- Engaged and intending to marry (Australia has a specific visa for this)
What makes these visas so valuable is that they allow you to:
- Live with your partner long-term
- Work full-time (in many cases without needing employer sponsorship)
- Study freely or take short courses
- Later apply for permanent residency
For many couples, this pathway is easier and more stable than trying to secure employment or study visas independently.
PART 1: NEW ZEALAND PARTNER & MARRIAGE VISAS
New Zealand offers several partner visa categories depending on your partner’s status (citizen, resident, student, or worker).
1. Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
This is the main visa for spouses or partners of:
- New Zealand citizens
- New Zealand residents
What This Visa Allows You To Do
- Work full-time for any employer
- Study short courses (usually up to 3 months per year without a student visa)
- Stay for up to 3 years
- Later apply for New Zealand residency
Cost
- Approx. NZD $1,630 for the visa application
- Additional costs may include:
- Medical examinations
- Police certificates
- Document translations
2. Partner of a Worker Work Visa
This visa is for partners of people already working in New Zealand on qualified visas.
What It Allows
- Full-time work
- Study for up to 3 months per year
- Visa length matches your partner’s work visa duration
Cost
- Approx. NZD $1,630
3. Partner of a Student Work Visa
If your partner is an international student studying in New Zealand, and their course falls under eligible categories, you may qualify.
What You Get
- Ability to work full-time
- Ability to study short courses
Financial Proof Requirement
In some cases, New Zealand requires financial evidence that you and your partner can support yourselves.
Typical requirement example: NZD $4,200–$5,000 in savings.
Visa Fee
- Approx. NZD $1,630
4. Partner Visitor Visa (No Work Rights)
If you simply want to join your partner temporarily, this visa offers:
- Stay up to 3 years
- Study short courses
- No work rights
Fee
- Approx. NZD $341
Work & Study Rights in New Zealand
Once granted, most partner work visas in New Zealand allow:
- Unlimited work rights
- Work with any employer
- No job offer required before applying
- Study up to 3 months without needing a student visa
Longer study requires applying for a proper student visa.
Financial Responsibilities in New Zealand
Here’s what applicants typically need to budget for:
- Visa fees: NZD $341–$1,630
- Medical exams: NZD $250–$400 (varies by country)
- Police certificates
- Passport photos
- Translation/certification fees
- Proof of funds (if required): NZD $4,200–$5,000
Eligibility Requirements (New Zealand)
Applicants must show:
- A genuine, stable and continuing relationship
- Evidence of living together
- Shared financial or household arrangements
- Pictures, messages, travel history, communication logs
- Letters from friends/family confirming the relationship
- Clean health and character status
New Zealand is strict about proving relationships are real and long-term.
PART 2: AUSTRALIA PARTNER & MARRIAGE VISAS
Australia has one of the most detailed (and expensive) partner visa systems in the world. It follows a two-stage pathway: temporary → permanent.
1. Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820 & 309)
Subclass 820
- Applied for inside Australia
- Grants temporary residence while waiting for the permanent visa
Subclass 309
- Applied for outside Australia
- Lets you enter Australia and stay temporarily while your permanent visa is processed
What These Temporary Visas Allow
- Full-time work
- Full-time study
- Travel in and out of Australia
- Enrolment in Medicare (public health) in many cases
2. Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801 & 100)
This is the second stage of the partner visa.
- Subclass 801 (if applying inside Australia)
- Subclass 100 (if applying from overseas)
Usually processed 2 years after applying for the temporary visa, unless special circumstances apply (e.g., long-term relationship or children together).
3. Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
If you are engaged and plan to marry your Australian partner inside Australia, this visa allows you to:
- Enter Australia
- Get married
- Apply for the partner visa after marriage
This is a popular option for couples not yet married or not yet living together.
4. New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa (Subclass 461)
For partners of New Zealand citizens living in Australia, not Australian citizens.
Benefits
- Stay in Australia for 5 years
- Full work and study rights
- Affordable compared to regular partner visas
Work & Study Rights in Australia
For partner visa holders in Australia:
- Full work rights
- Full study rights
- Ability to stay while permanent residency is processed
- Medicare eligibility after the temporary visa is granted
Costs & Financial Responsibilities in Australia
Australia is known for very high partner visa fees.
Government Visa Application Fees
Main Partner Visa (820/801 or 309/100)
- Approx. AUD $8,850 – $9,365
(This fee covers both temporary and permanent stages.)
Additional Applicants
- Additional adult (over 18): AUD $3,860 – $4,685
- Child applicant: AUD $1,935 – $2,345
Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
- Similar cost range to the main partner visa
- Additional fees apply after marriage when applying for the partner visa
Subclass 461 Visa (NZ Citizen Partner)
- Approx. AUD $445 for the main applicant
- Additional adult: AUD $228+
- Child: AUD $111+
The 461 visa is one of the cheapest partner visas in Australia.
Additional Expenses in Australia
Expect extra costs such as:
- Medical examinations: AUD $200–$500+
- Police character certificates
- Biometric collection fees
- Evidence preparation costs
- Document translations
- Optional migration agent fees (often AUD $2,000–$5,000+)
Important Note:
Visa fees are non-refundable even if your application is refused.
Partner Visa Evidence Requirements (NZ + Australia)
To qualify, your relationship must be proven through documents such as:
- Joint bank accounts
- Rental agreements or shared utilities
- Photos together
- Screenshots of communication
- Travel itineraries
- Statements from friends and family
- Marriage certificate (if married)
- Proof of living together (for de facto partners)
Authorities will assess:
- Duration and stability of the relationship
- Financial dependence/shared commitments
- Household evidence
- Social recognition of the relationship
Processing Times
New Zealand
- Many partner work visas: 4–6 weeks
- Complex cases can take longer
Australia
- Temporary partner visa stage: 6 months – 2 years
- Permanent stage: additional months to years
- Total processing time is often 1–3 years
Tips for Success
1. House your evidence early
The strongest partner applications include well-organized documents.
2. Budget realistically
These visas are costly, especially in Australia.
3. Prioritize medicals and police checks
Delays in these can stall your application.
4. Understand the correct subclass
Australia has different visas based on marital status, location, and partner status.
5. Don’t underestimate relationship evidence
Weak evidence is the most common reason for refusal.
Conclusion
Partner visas for New Zealand and Australia provide powerful pathways for couples to build a life together. Whether you’re seeking full-time work, planning to study, or moving toward permanent residency, both countries offer structured visa categories with strong benefits.
- New Zealand is typically faster and more affordable, making it attractive for couples wanting a smooth transition.
- Australia, while more expensive and slower, offers a strong permanent residency pathway and wide-ranging benefits once approved.
Understanding the visa options, costs, rights, eligibility, and documents will help you prepare a strong and successful application.
If you want, I can also create:
- A step-by-step application checklist
- A relationship evidence template
- A budget breakdown for each country
- A comparison table between NZ and Australia partner visas
Just tell me what you’d like next!
