If you have decided to apply for a wife, husband, de facto partner, or same sex partner visa to bring your loved one to New Zealand, you should be aware of possible complications. Many factors may result in substantial delays in processing times, time-consuming investigation, or a denial of your resident visa application. Issues that may complicate the application process include, but are not limited to:

• Significant age difference between the applicant and his or her New Zealand sponsor. Although there is no official requirement that partners must be about the same age in order to qualify for a visa, the immigration authorities are typically skeptical of couples with a big age difference.
• Poor English skills of the foreign partner. The adjudicating immigration officials often become skeptical if partners do not share a common language, at least to some meaningful extent.
• Partner and New Zealand sponsor have not spent enough time together in person. As a general rule, you must have lived together with your partner for at least 12 months immediately preceding the filing of the application.
• Prior attempts by the sponsor to bring a foreign national to New Zealand. Prior sponsorship history may prevent the New Zealand sponsor from bringing another partner to New Zealand on a residence visa.
• Prior attempts by the foreign partner to obtain a visa of any type to come to New Zealand, or gain entry into New Zealand, if the partner committed fraud or material misrepresentation, such as making false statements to immigration officials or providing fraudulent documents.
• Partner was previously in New Zealand and overstayed her or his visa.
• Partner was previously deported (removed) from New Zealand.
• Insufficient proof of relationship (lack of supporting documentation).
• Sponsor has a criminal record related to domestic violence or sexual offense.
• Partner has a criminal record.
• Partner has a communicable disease (HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis etc.)

To learn more about potential problems, and whether or not you are likely to succeed in obtaining a marriage or partner visa on behalf of your loved one, please contact our New Zealand  visa department for a free consultation and a New Zealand resident visa eligibility assessment.