Background
Until now, individuals in a culturally arranged marriage with a
New Zealand (NZ) citizen or resident planning to come to NZ to join
their spouse were only eligible for a Culturally Arranged Marriage
visitor visa if the wedding took place in NZ. This was impractical,
with most culturally arranged marriages occurring offshore.
Updated
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced
that a Culturally Arranged Marriage visitor visa may be granted to
individuals who have had an arranged marriage within three months
of the visa application, regardless of where the wedding ceremony
took place. This is a positive update that means those in
culturally arranged marriages have the opportunity to apply for a
visitor visa to come to NZ and demonstrate that they are living
together in a stable and genuine relationship, and later apply for
a temporary partnership-based work visa.
