Partnership Residency declined

[Ivish]

Hi There,

Partnership residency declined due to a couple lived together in a relationship for only 11 and half months at the time of application instead of 12 months. Couple are currently living together (for the last 19 months).
It is not mentioned on residency application criteria to have lived together for 12 months at the time application is lodged.
Did any one experience this situation?
Please advise


Posting on behalf

[JandM]

Yes.

Every application to INZ is a legal document, and by submitting it, you warrant that everything in it IS true, right then, at that time. INZ COs don't have the power to accept anything in advance - for instance, that the couple WILL HAVE lived together x amount of time, that an applicant WILL get the degree they are studying for, that a worker WILL have x amount of work experience for points - because, despite the most honest intentions, real life can get in the way, and can prevent what a person was relying on from happening.

And, right here on the factsheet https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-...-visa#criteria by Your relationship with your partner, it says, "You and your partner must have been living together in a genuine and stable relationship for 12 months or more." (My bolding - notice the past tense. You have to have done it already.)

Sorry for the frustration the person you're posting for must feel, but that's the way it is, and always has been. To look on the bright side, it's likely that when they apply again, with 19 months' evidence and growing, the application will go smoothly, as everything else has checked out (I assume, as you haven't mentioned any other point raised by INZ).

[Kelerei]

And to add to the above: as per F2.5(d)(iii) in the operational manual, if the couple has not lived together for 12 months or more at the time that the application is lodged, the application will be declined.