Visa Access for Victims of Family Violence

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is expanding the Victims of Family Violence Work Visa eligibility criteria to include partners of temporary migrants to ensure the immigration system supports migrant workers affected by family violence.

Update as of 28 February 2023
Applications for the Victims of Family Violence Work Visa from people who hold a partnership-based visa with another temporary migrant can be made from 28 February 2023.

• This visa has a 6-month duration and open work rights.
• There is no fee for this visa. It is granted independently and does not depend on the applicant’s partnership.
• Partners of New Zealand citizens and residents can already access the visa.

This change aims to reduce the challenges faced by migrant victims of family violence based on their visa status. Once expired they may be able to apply for an extension, a Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa or another visa. Please find the amendment circular below.

How to define family violence
Family violence is any abuse towards you by someone you live with, who is family or close to you, that may:

• control you or force you to do something you do not want to
• cause you harm.

Types of abuse:
Abuse can be an isolated event or a pattern of behaviour. It can be physical, sexual or psychological. It can include:

• harassment, isolation, threats or other behaviour to scare you
• financial, economic or dowry abuse
• damage to property or abuse of pets.

To be eligible to apply for the victims of family violence visas, you must have:

• been living with the abuser, and
• had what we call a 'family relationship' with them — this means they need to have been your partner, another family member, or someone close to you.

Key details:

• To be eligible for this visa, your partner must have been a New Zealand citizen or resident, or you must hold a partnership-based visa with another temporary migrant.
• You can apply for the victims of family violence visas even if your partner was not the person abusing you.

Visas you can apply for:

• Victims of Family Violence Work Visa
• Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa

Source: INZ website

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Learn more about this visa