How to Get a Free Spousal Visa in New Zealand for Foreigners in 2025

Love doesn’t need a price tag, learn how to join your partner in New Zealand without paying visa application fees.

Moving to New Zealand to live with your partner is a big and exciting step. But the cost of immigration paperwork can often seem like a roadblock—especially when you hear about visa application fees, medical checks, and processing times. The good news is that under specific conditions, you may be able to get a spousal visa (also called a partner visa) in New Zealand without paying any application fees. This guide breaks down how foreigners can do exactly that in 2025—clearly, simply, and legally.

Understanding the Spousal Visa (Partner Visa) in New Zealand

Before jumping into how to get it for free, it’s important to understand what the partner visa in New Zealand is.

A spousal visa in New Zealand allows you to live, work, and study in the country based on your genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) offers different partner visa pathways depending on your situation, including:

• Visitor Visa based on partnership

• Work Visa based on partnership

• Residence Visa based on partnership

Each has different requirements depending on how long you’ve been together, how you can prove your relationship, and whether you’re married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship.

Is It Really Free?

The partner visa is not always free. However, in some circumstances, you can avoid paying the usual application fees, which can range from NZD $211 to over $2,000. Here’s how:

1. Fee Waiver Policies for Humanitarian or Family Circumstances

Immigration New Zealand provides a fee waiver option in very specific cases. You may qualify for a free application if:

• You’re applying under humanitarian grounds (e.g., fleeing danger in your home country).

• Your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident and you’re facing financial hardship.

• You’re part of a refugee family or connected to refugee resettlement programs.

• You’re applying from a country that has recently faced natural disasters or conflicts, and INZ has declared a fee-waiver policy for applicants from that country.

You’ll need to provide clear evidence, such as a support letter from your partner, proof of financial hardship, or confirmation of refugee status.

2. Free Visa for Partners of New Zealand Citizens or Residents Under Certain Categories

In some situations, a work or visitor visa based on partnership is processed without a fee:

• If your partner is a New Zealand citizen and you’re applying from within the country, some partnership-based visas may have zero fees depending on your country of origin and visa subclass.

• If you hold a current visa (like a student or visitor visa) and apply for a partner-based visa before it expires, you may only need to pay for medical checks and not the visa itself.

• Applicants from Pacific Island nations or those under regional agreements (like the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme) may be eligible for fee-free processing if partnered with a New Zealand resident.

It’s important to check INZ’s fee waiver updates frequently because these policies change depending on international relations and humanitarian needs.

3. Residence from Partnership: Fee Waiver for Sponsored Applicants

The residence visa under partnership usually has a fee. However, if your New Zealand partner sponsors your application and demonstrates that you both face financial hardship, INZ may waive the fee.

To qualify:

• You must have been living together for at least 12 months.

• Your partner must provide documents showing low income or lack of employment.

• You may be asked to submit joint bills, rental agreements, or affidavits showing your cohabitation.

This is not guaranteed, but strong cases have led to fee waivers in the past.

4. INZ’s Online System: No Payment for Some Applications

In 2025, some online applications—especially for partner-based visitor visas—can be processed through INZ’s upgraded digital portal, which may allow you to apply without making a payment up front.

These “zero initial fee” submissions are reviewed first, and only if more documentation is needed will you be prompted to pay. In some cases, the process completes without requesting any payment.

Check the INZ site to see if your category is listed for fee-free online processing. This is common for applicants from low-risk countries or for visitors staying less than 3 months.

Related Post: How to get Spousal Visa in USA for Foreigners

Requirements for a Spousal Visa

Even if you qualify for a free application, you still need to meet the requirements:

1. Genuine and Stable Relationship

You’ll need to prove that your relationship is:

• Genuine – You’re committed to each other.

• Stable – You’ve been living together, planning a future together, and sharing finances or responsibilities.

2. Living Together

Immigration NZ usually requires proof of cohabitation. This includes:

• Joint lease or utility bills

• Shared bank account statements

• Photographs and travel history together

• Letters from friends or family confirming your relationship

3. Sponsorship

Your partner must agree to sponsor your visa, which means they:

• Are a New Zealand citizen or resident

• Have not sponsored someone else recently

• Are not under investigation for immigration or legal issues

4. Health and Character

You’ll still need to provide:

• A chest X-ray (to check for tuberculosis)

• Police clearance (to prove good character)

These tests are usually not free, but in special humanitarian cases, you can ask for these costs to be covered or waived as well.

How to Apply

Here’s a step-by-step overview:

Step 1: Prepare Documents

Collect:

• Proof of relationship (photos, messages, joint bills)

• ID documents (passport, birth certificate)

• Police and medical certificates

Step 2: Check Eligibility for Fee Waiver

Visit the Immigration New Zealand website and look at their Fee Guide and Waiver Policy sections. You can also contact them directly for specific advice.

If you qualify for a waiver:

• Fill out the INZ 1024 Fee Waiver Request Form

• Attach evidence of hardship or humanitarian circumstances

Step 3: Apply Online or In-Person

Use the Immigration Online Portal to submit your application. Upload your documents and submit the waiver request form if needed.

Step 4: Wait for a Decision

Processing times vary:

• Visitor/Work Visa: 20–45 days

• Residence Visa: 6–12 months

If approved, you’ll receive a visa label in your passport or an electronic notification.

Tips to Improve Your Chances

• Be honest in your application. False information can result in a 5-year ban.

• Stay in regular contact with INZ if they ask for additional documents.

• Ask for help from a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA) if your case is complex.

• Keep your partner involved—INZ may interview both of you to verify your relationship.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying before you’ve lived together long enough.

• Submitting weak relationship proof (e.g., only a few photos).

• Forgetting to ask for a fee waiver when eligible.

• Not including the INZ 1024 form if claiming hardship.

Final Thoughts

Getting a free spousal visa in New Zealand is not always easy, but it is possible—especially in 2025, with changing global policies and digital systems that improve access. If you have a genuine relationship and can show evidence of hardship or eligibility under fee-exempt categories, you stand a good chance of avoiding the normal costs.

Always check the latest updates on the official INZ website or speak to an expert. But most importantly, focus on building a strong life with your partner—because that’s what the visa is really about.