Can we apply for the student visa and spouse visa at the same time and travel together in New Zealand?
Yes, you can submit your student visa and your spouse visa applications at the same time, but Immigration New Zealand processes them sequentially, approving your spouse only after your student visa clears. You can travel together once both visas are issued.
Yes, you can lodge both applications together, and you can travel to New Zealand as a couple, but only once each visa is fully approved on its own. Immigration New Zealand reviews your spouse's application only after your student visa is granted, so many advisers recommend waiting for your Approval in Principle before you even submit theirs.
Which Spouse Visa Applies to You
| Visa Type | Eligibility | Work Rights |
|---|---|---|
| Partner of a Student Work Visa | You study a Level 9 Master's or Level 10 PhD, or a Level 7/8 course on the Green List | Full time work for any employer |
| Partner of a Student Visitor Visa | Your course does not meet the work visa thresholds above | No work rights; can study up to 3 months |
Core Requirements and Travel Rules
- Prove a genuine, stable relationship with joint tenancy agreements, shared bank accounts, or utility bills
- Show financial sufficiency: NZD 4,200 total for the work visa route, or NZD 1,000 per month of stay for the visitor route
- Provide medical certificates and police clearances as required by nationality and length of stay
- Do not book non-refundable joint travel until both passports or eVisas are actually issued, since your spouse's approval will naturally lag behind yours
My Advice
Submit your own student visa first and gather your spouse's relationship evidence in parallel, so you are ready to file the moment your Approval in Principle lands. If your course start date is close and your spouse's visa is still pending, plan to travel ahead alone rather than delay your own enrollment.
Can your spouse come with you to NZ?
Which NZ courses still allow dependents, and what you will need to show.
More Student visa questions
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More New Zealand questions
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- What is the cost and budget criteria for studying in UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Singapore for a Master's?
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