F3.20 Deferring the final decision (07/10/2002)

1. If, after assessing an application, a visa or immigration officer considers a couple has lived together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 18 months immediately before the application is assessed, the officer may defer the final decision until the couple meets the 2-year qualifying period.
2. A final decision on an application may also be deferred for a 6-month period if, after assessing an application, the officer has reason to doubt that a couple is living together in a genuine and stable relationship and considers that the only means of resolving that doubt is to defer a final decision on the application.
3. A final decision may also be deferred for a period of 6 months if an officer has reason to doubt that the primary place of established residence of a sponsor subject to F3.5.5(b) is not New Zealand, and considers that the only means of resolving that doubt is to defer a final decision on the application.
4. If there are compelling reasons for the principal applicant to be in New Zealand with their de facto partner during the deferral period, a principal applicant may be issued with a work visa or granted a work permit (once an application has been made) for a period sufficient to enable a further assessment of their residence application after the 6-month deferral period.

Effective 07/10/2002