Getting married to someone from a different cultural background can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. However, for couples in culturally arranged marriages, there are some additional legal considerations when one partner is a New Zealand resident and the other is applying from overseas. The Partner of a New Zealand Resident Visa allows people married to or in a stable relationship with a New Zealander to live together in New Zealand. This article will explore common cultural backgrounds for arranged marriages in NZ, the visa requirements, application process, and life after getting the visa.

Overview of Culturally Arranged Marriages

Culturally arranged marriages are common in many Asian, Middle Eastern, and African communities. Families take an active role in selecting a suitable partner for their child, drawing on shared values and customs. These partnerships are based on commitment, compatibility, and family approval rather than romantic love at first sight. While perspectives are modernizing, arranged marriages remain an honored tradition.

The Partner Visa provides a pathway for those in culturally arranged marriages to live in New Zealand with their resident spouse or partner. There are requirements to prove the genuineness of the relationship, which can pose challenges for couples who have only recently met before their marriage. However, arranged partnerships based on true commitment and respect for each other's cultures can absolutely thrive.

Culturally Arranged Marriages in New Zealand

New Zealand is home to diverse immigrant communities that practice arranged marriage traditions. Some key cultural backgrounds include:

Indian

Many Indian Kiwis come from Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, and other backgrounds where families arrange marriages. Customs like roka confirmations, engagement ceremonies, and extravagant weddings mark the journey to marriage. Matchmaking may happen locally or via introductions from overseas.

Chinese 

Within Chinese culture, family input into matchmaking and marriage expectations is also common. Chinese New Zealanders may rely on family networks and traditional customs around betrothal gifts, wedding date selection, and marital duties.

Other Asian Cultures

Arranged marriages are part of traditions across Asia, including Vietnamese, Thai, Filipino, Cambodian, Japanese, and Korean cultures. Customs vary between communities, but families are often involved in planning and introductions.

Across these cultures, key roles families play include:

Selecting a Suitable Partner

Parents and extended relatives will look at factors like family background, education, financial stability, and social standing when matching their child with a potential partner. Values like duty, honor, and care for elders are prioritized.

Facilitating Introductions

Rather than dating in the Western sense, couples are formally introduced and then get to know one another in family settings. Chaperones may be involved. Gifts and greetings are exchanged.

Organizing Celebrations

The path to marriage may involve various celebrations of commitment, from engagement ceremonies to the wedding day. Families organize customs like exchanging vow books. Lavish events join two families.

While arranging introductions, elders aim to ensure couples share cultural compatibility and commitment. But romantic sparks must flourish between the partners themselves.

Partner Visa Requirements

To be eligible for the Partner Visa based on a culturally arranged marriage, applicants must provide evidence to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) proving:

Genuine and Stable Relationship

  • Evidence of commitment, such as ceremony photos, vow books, or family testimonials.
  • Details on how you keep the cultural aspects of your relationship strong. 
  • Shared experiences spent getting to know one another, including travel, activities, and quality time with friends/family.
  • Essentially, you must convince INZ your culturally arranged marriage is genuine and not a sham for immigration purposes.

Living Together for 12 Months

  • Normally, couples must have lived together for 12 months prior to applying. 
  • For cultural reasons, some arranged partners have not cohabitated yet, which can be a barrier.
  • If you have not lived together for 12 months, provide a good reason along with other evidence of commitment.
  • Exceptions are possible, but the threshold for proof is high. Talk to a lawyer.
  • After the visa is approved, couples should start living together immediately.

Other Eligibility Criteria

  • Be aged 18+ and unmarried or separated from any previous spouse.
  • Medical checks and character checks for any convictions.
  • Evidence of financial support and English language skills may be required in some cases.
  • Offshore application with interview generally required. Discuss any visits to NZ with your lawyer.

Meeting all the requirements demonstrates this is a genuine lifelong partnership rather than one of convenience.

Application Process

Here are the general steps to secure a Partner Visa based on a culturally arranged marriage:

Gather Documents

  • Identify a licensed immigration advisor to assist with your case.
  • Work with your advisor to collect evidence such as relationship history, photos, ceremonies, travel, commitments, family support, chat logs, and more.

Submit Online Application

  • Complete the online partner visa application with your advisor's guidance.
  • Pay the NZD$1,755 application fee.
  • Acknowledge the processing time is 12-15 months. It cannot be fast-tracked.

Interview

  • Once INZ reviews the documents, an in-person or phone interview will be scheduled. 
  • You and your partner may be interviewed separately. Answer honestly and consistently.
  • Interviews allow visa officers to further assess relationship genuineness.

Decision  

  • If approved, you'll receive your visa! Notify your partner in NZ.
  • If declined, carefully review the reasons and discuss options with your advisor. Provide additional evidence to appeal the decision.
  • With the right documentation and legal support, culturally arranged couples have an excellent chance of visa approval.

Life After Getting the Visa

Once your Partner Visa is approved, you can finally join your partner in New Zealand! This opens an exciting new chapter in your lives.

Planning the Wedding

  • If you haven't already, now is the time to plan your wedding celebration with family and friends. Honor your cultures.
  • Your advisor can explain the process to register your partnership in NZ after arrival.

Adjusting to Married Life  

  • Focus on open communication, compromise, and creating your own marriage traditions.
  • Join local cultural associations. Seek support when encountering challenges.
  • Familiarize yourself with Kiwi relationship customs. Blend the best of both cultures.

Applying for Residence 

  • After 24 months of living together in a genuine and stable partnership, you can apply for NZ residence under the partner category.
  • Eventually you'll become a permanent resident and citizen! But it takes time and ongoing effort.
  • The Partner Visa lets you embark on a wonderful lifelong marriage and future in Aotearoa. Embrace this journey together.

Key Takeaways

  • Culturally arranged marriages are a respected tradition among many NZ immigrant communities. Family plays a key role.
  • To get a Partner Visa, couples must provide evidence of genuine commitment, 12 months living together, and meet other visa criteria.
  • The application process involves document gathering, interview, and thorough assessment of relationship legitimacy.
  • Once approved, couples should focus on marriage harmony, cultural celebration, and working toward NZ permanent residence.

Final Thoughts

The Partner Visa provides a legitimate pathway for couples in culturally arranged marriages to live together in New Zealand. While challenging at times, these partnerships based on shared values—not just romance—have every chance of thriving into beautiful lifelong unions. Respect your partner's background, communicate openly, keep celebrating your cultures, and you'll be well on your way to a wonderful marriage and future in Aotearoa.

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FAQs

Can we apply for a Partnership Visa if we haven't lived together for 12 months due to cultural reasons?

It is possible to apply for an exception to the living together requirement if there are genuine cultural reasons you have not yet cohabitated for 12 months. However, you will need to provide additional evidence that yours is a stable, committed relationship. Work closely with a licensed advisor to build the strongest case possible.

What kind of relationship evidence do we need to provide?

Submit as much proof as possible, such as photos spanning your entire relationship, ceremony invitations and footage, travel reservations together, commitment/vow documents, thorough relationship history timeline, family testimonials, phone logs showing regular contact, and evidence of financial interdependence. Demonstrate life events and shared experiences.

Can I get a temporary visa to attend my own culturally arranged wedding in NZ? 

Yes, you can apply for a visitor visa for culturally arranged marriage purposes in order to attend your wedding and briefly visit your partner in New Zealand. Include your wedding invite and other evidence this is genuine. But you would still need to apply for and be granted the Partner Visa to actually live in NZ long-term.

What if we are declined? Can we appeal?

If your Partner Visa application is declined, carefully review the reasons why with your licensed advisor. You may be able to provide additional evidence to appeal the decision. For example, submitting further proof of genuine commitment and relationship history. Be prepared this may involve legal fees and take more months to the resolve. But legitimate couples committed to living in NZ should not give up easily.

Will Immigration New Zealand contact anyone about our relationship? 

Probably. It is common for INZ officers to make calls to your listed references, family members, or employers to ask questions verifying your relationship credentials and good character. Tell everyone listed they may be contacted and request they respond helpfully. Honest third-party testimonials are valuable evidence.

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