Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa vs Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa

[oli144]

Hi there, just looking for some potential advise.

I am a UK citizen and my wife is a NZ citizen. Initially met and lived in New Zealand, whilst I was on a work visa and then moved to the UK in 2021 with her on a UK partner visa. We are planning to move back to New Zealand in October this year, and was originally planning on applying for New Zealander Resident Visa, however I feel i underestimated the timeframe it would take and feel it would unlikely come back by October. Was therefore considering applying for the Partner Work visa, since the turnaround timeframe is quicker, and then apply for resident visa once in New Zealand. I'm confident of having all the evidence to get the partner resident visa, due to having already done the UK version for her, just concerned left it too late to apply.

I was just wondering what the different entitlements the different visas would bring - mainly considering health care entitlement and any implication on buying property together in New Zealand. If the the partner work visa was for 2 years would that mean I would be entitled to healthcare?

I could also potentially explore Straight to residence Visa with my occupation as in on Tier 1 Skill list but again unsure whether could find a job and get the visa applied for in the timeframe.

Thank you

[JandM]

See here, https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/our-h...ealth-services, where eligibility for health care is set out.

Here https://www.linz.govt.nz/guidance/ov...-property-live are the rules about owning property.

If you are confident of having good evidence of partnership (see here for old threads with discussion and examples of what other people have used https://www.google.com/search?client...of+partnership), getting a partner-sponsored work visa, and then partner-sponsored residence, involves much less hassle than going for a work-based visa of whatever kind, as for the latter, you have to prove all your qualifications, work experience, and find a relevant job offer.