Family Migration
Relationship with a New Zealand Resident or Citizen
Residence can also be granted to those who are in a relationship with a New Zealand resident or citizen in a heterosexual or same sex relationship, either married or de facto (common law). Contrary to popular opinion, being married to a New Zealander is not an automatic guarantee of success. As with all relationship based applications the system requires the applicant to demonstrate they are in a genuine and stable relationship. This is not always easy. Under the marriage and de facto categories there is a requirement that residence can be granted only once you have been living together for 12 months or more. Work permits can be issued if you are married or living in a de facto relationship for less than 12 months.
Sibling Category
Residence is also an option for those who represent the last family member of the family living in the home country. If that person has an offer of employment in New Zealand, their family sponsor has held a residence permit for three years and they meet health and character criteria they may qualify for residence. Under this category the applicant must have the job offer prior to applying for residence. Sponsors must now hold residence permits for three years in order to sponsor their siblings. The Government advised us a few months ago that they were considering softening that qualifying period so that the sponsor must have been in New Zealand for three years i.e. on a temporary permit such as a work permit and now hold a residence permit, but nothing has happened.
Parent Category
(a) If parents have the same number, or more, adult children living permanently in New Zealand than in any other country (including their "home" country) and they have no medical or character issues, residence can be approved, or
(b) If parents have no adult children living in the home country and at least one lawfully and permanently resident in New Zealand (and again there are no character or health issues) they will qualify for Residence. Parents with dependent children (up to the age of 25) have a more complex situation as dependent children do impact on eligibility.
Sponsors must now hold residence permits for three years in order to sponsor their parents as for the sibling category above.
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