Hi
None of this is easy. I agree SMC not going to work at this stage. For INZ a partner is someone with whom you live in a genuine and stable and enduring relationship. At this point in time, I can't see any way she will get a visa as a partner. She could try for a visitor visa but she would almost certainly need to show that she had a return flight to prove she genuinely intended leaving NZ before visa expires. If the couple then live together in NZ they codul apply to INZ for a Special category Visitir Visa under V# as a partner of less than 12 months. However, on a Visitor visa, she cannot work. Or, she could try to get a job while on visitor visa and then apply for work visa once in NZ. The only other option would be to take a chance on a Silver Fern Job Search Visa. This will depend on whether or not her degree is on the List of Qualifications exempt form Assessment. If it is, she still has time. If not, it is probably too late for this year. I don't want to advertise my business on the forum but I have a lot of useful information on my website about Silver Fern Visas. If you send me a Private Message I will pass on the details. I am not looking to make any money out of this. Hope this helps. Karen