V3.35 Entry to New Zealand for the purpose of culturally arranged marriage (29/09/2003)

1. People intending to marry New Zealand citizens or residents in New Zealand may be issued with a visitor's visa authorising a permit for a maximum stay of 3 months from their date of arrival, provided that:
   1. the couple genuinely intend to marry within 3 months of the applicant's arrival in New Zealand, and
   2. the marriage follows an identified cultural tradition where the arrangements for the marriage, including the initial selection of the persons to be married, are made by persons who are not parties to the marriage, and
   3. it is intended that the marriage will be maintained on a long term and exclusive basis, and
   4. the New Zealand resident or citizen they intend to marry
      • supports the application, and
      • is an eligible sponsor under Partnership policy (see F2.10.10 and V3.35.5(c) below), and
   5. there is no legal impediment to the intended marriage.

      Note: For there to be no legal impediment to the intended marriage the principal applicant and intended New Zealand citizen or resident partner must:
      ~ both be free to marry in that neither are already married to another person, and
      ~ not be close relatives i.e. those relationships specified as "forbidden marriages" under Schedule 2 of the Marriage Act 1955 (see F2.15(d)).

2. If applicants are already in New Zealand when applying, the permit will be current for a maximum of 3 months from their date of arrival in New Zealand.
3. Holders of a visitor permit granted under this policy, may be eligible for an initial 12 month work permit as the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident after the marriage has taken place (see WF2).

   Note: The applicant does not require an outward ticket if the New Zealand citizen or resident they intend to marry or another New Zealand citizen or resident formally sponsors the applicant using the relevant NZIS sponsorship form, and if this sponsorship includes a guarantee of repatriation. In such cases the sponsor must satisfy a visa or immigration officer they will meet their sponsorship undertakings.

V3.35.1 Evidence for people intending to enter New Zealand for the purpose of a culturally arranged marriage with a New Zealand citizen or resident

1. Visa or immigration officers must establish (through interview and/or documentary evidence), and be satisfied that:
   1. there is a genuine intent to marry and that it is intended the marriage be maintained on a long term and exclusive basis, and
   2. the person the applicant intends to marry in New Zealand is a New Zealand citizen or resident, and
   3. the marriage follows an identified cultural tradition where the arrangements for the marriage, including the initial selection of the persons to be married, have been made by persons who are not parties to the marriage, and
   4. the couple intend to marry within 3 months of the applicant’s arrival in New Zealand, and
   5. the applicant has provided evidence of support in writing from the New Zealand citizen or resident they intend to marry, and
   6. in the event the marriage does not take place the applicant will leave New Zealand.
2. Substantive evidence must be provided to demonstrate that the marriage follows an identified cultural tradition where the arrangements for the marriage, including the initial selection of the persons to be married, have been made by persons who are not parties to the marriage. Such evidence may include but is not limited to::
   1. communication between the parents of the couple and/or a person acting as a go-between or matchmaker,
   2. other documents indicating public recognition of the arrangement and/or ceremony,
   3. confirmation from independent sources that such arrangements and/or ceremonies are in accordance with the cultural custom of the parties concerned.

V3.35.5 Intended New Zealand citizen or resident partner must be an eligible sponsor under Partnership policy

1. Visa and immigration officers must consider, whether the intended New Zealand resident partner is an eligible sponsor (see F2.10.10).
2. An intended New Zealand citizen or resident partner will not be considered to be an eligible sponsor if that intended partner:
   1. has previously supported or sponsored more than one other successful principal applicant under Partnership policy, or
   2. has previously supported or sponsored any other successful principal applicant under Partnership policy in the five years immediately preceding the date the current application is made, or
   3. was the perpetrator of an incident of domestic violence which has resulted in the grant of a residence permit to a person under the policy for victims of domestic violence, or
   4. was a successful principal applicant under Partnership policy:
      • if less than five years has elapsed since the date they were granted residence under Partnership policy, or
      • if they have previously supported or sponsored any other successful principal applicant under Partnership policy.

        Note:
        ~ A person is considered to be the perpetrator of an incident of domestic violence if they have been convicted in New Zealand of an offence of domestic violence against such a person or they were the subject of a complaint of domestic violence against such a person investigated by the New Zealand Police where the New Zealand Police are satisfied that such domestic violence has occurred (see S4.5.1).
        
        ~Support or sponsorship of principal applicants under Partnership policy includes support or sponsorship of principal applicants under the Family category Spouse and De facto partner policies in force before Partnership policy took effect.

3. If requested by an immigration or visa officer, applicants must provide a written declaration from their intended New Zealand partner confirming:
   1. they are an eligible sponsor, and/or
   2. they comply with the minimum requirements for recognition of partnerships (see E4.1.12(b) & F2.15).

Effective 29/09/2003