When planning to join your partner in New Zealand, most migrants opt for the Partnership based Visa. Immigration New Zealand evaluates these visa applications based on several criteria, with the most crucial being:
- You and your partner are in a genuine and stable relationship.
- You and your partner are living together.
It’s essential to provide strong evidence for these criteria. In this blog, we’ll explore three key supporting documents that can strengthen your application:
- A Relationship Timeline
- Letters from Family and Friends
- The Genuine Relationship Letter
What is a Relationship Timeline?
A relationship timeline helps you highlight the key dates and events that define the history and evolution of your relationship. It allows Immigration Officers to see how your relationship began, progressed, and continues to be maintained, proving the authenticity of your bond.
What to Include in Your Relationship Timeline
When crafting your relationship timeline, include these key milestones:
- First Meeting: When, where, and how you first met.
- Relationship Start: The date you officially started dating.
- Moving in Together: The date you began living together.
- Engagement: Details of your engagement, including the proposal.
- Wedding Day: The date and details of your wedding ceremony.
If there were periods of separation, include them in the timeline as well. Explain how you kept in touch during these times.
Understanding the Purpose of a Genuine Relationship Letter
The Genuine Relationship Letter is a crucial part of the New Zealand partner visa application.
There are two main types:
- Joint or Individual Letters: Written by both the applicant and the sponsoring partner, ideally as separate letters.
- Support Letters from Friends or Family: These affirm the authenticity of your relationship.
Case officers use these letters to track the development of your relationship, including key milestones like engagement, moving in together, or marriage. These letters provide essential insight and add credibility to your application.
Getting Support Letters from Friends or Family Members
Support letters from friends or family are crucial for your visa application. These endorsements offer an external perspective that immigration officials value.
When requesting a support letter, ask them to include their contact details and explain their relationship to you (e.g., “We went to school together” or “We work together”). The letter should highlight key aspects of your relationship, such as your decision to marry, how long they’ve known you as a couple, or visits to your home.
How We Can Help
Navigating the complexities of a NZ partner visa application can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to gathering the necessary documentation and crafting a compelling relationship timeline. We’re here to help every step of the way.
Our team of immigration experts offers personalized assistance with:
- Document Preparation: We help you gather all the necessary documents, ensuring that nothing is overlooked.
- Relationship Timeline Development: We guide you in creating a detailed and convincing relationship timeline that accurately reflects your journey as a couple.
- Support Letters: We can advise on how to request support letters from friends or family members, making sure these endorsements strengthen your application.
- Immigration Advice: Our experts stay up-to-date with the latest immigration policies and requirements, offering tailored advice to enhance your application’s chances of success.
Let us take the stress out of the visa process so you can focus on what really matters—being with your loved one.