Where to start

Partnership applications involve both the relationship and the evidence supporting it. A timeline helps the documents explain a shared life over time instead of becoming a random bundle.

Key points

Living together has a specific meaning

Visits, holidays or sharing accommodation as flatmates do not automatically show a shared home as partners.

A timeline gives evidence context

Dates show where the couple lived, how the relationship developed and where moves or periods apart need explanation.

Different evidence groups do different work

Address, financial, responsibility, communication and public-recognition records should support a coherent picture rather than repeat one point.

The visa category still controls

Resident, work and visitor partner visas can use related evidence themes but have different requirements and timing.

What living together means

INZ describes living together as sharing the same home as partners. Joint or individual mail, tenancy records, utility accounts, home ownership or other dated records can help show the shared address.

Build the timeline before the bundle

Start with when the relationship began, when the couple first lived together, each shared address, important moves and any periods apart. Then place documents against that timeline so their purpose is clear.

Use evidence groups

A balanced set can include shared-home records, financial links, shared responsibilities, relationship history, communication, time together and recognition by family, friends or official records. More files are not automatically better if they leave the timeline unclear.

Explain moves, gaps and periods apart

Work travel, family obligations, study, housing changes or other time apart should be explained with dates and context. A general guide cannot decide whether a particular explanation or document set is sufficient.

A fictional timeline example

Imagine a couple shared a rented home from January to June, then one partner worked in another region during July and August before they resumed living together in September. Tenancy records and utility mail may help show the shared addresses; employment or travel records may explain the temporary period apart; messages may show continued contact. The example shows the purpose of different records, not whether any real application has enough evidence.

Check the exact visa category

For a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa, current INZ material requires at least 12 months living together when applying. Other partner categories need their own page checked rather than borrowing that rule without context.

What to check next

  • Use the exact partner visa page for category requirements.
  • Cover the relevant period with dated evidence.
  • Seek licensed advice where the evidence, separation or timing needs personal interpretation.

Sources and dates

Information was checked on 27 September 2026. Open the current source before relying on a rule, threshold or process that may have changed.