Domestic Violence Visas
Victims of family violence may be eligible for a Domestic Violence Visa – either the Victims of Family Violence Resident or Victims of Family Violence Work Visa.
If you have been a victim of family violence where your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident you can apply for this visa. This visa will allow you to work, or live and work depending on the visa.
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa
With the Victims of Family Violence Work Visa, you are eligible to apply if you have experienced family violence while in a partnership with a New Zealand citizen or resident. You can also apply if you hold a partnership-based visa with another temporary migrant, for example your partner may hold a work visa or student visa. If granted, you will be able to stay and work in New Zealand for 6 months for any employer.
If you are in New Zealand and your temporary visa is about to expire before you can be granted a new one, Immigration NZ will in most cases grant you an interim visa to allow you to stay in the country while you application is being processed.
Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa
You are able to apply for this visa if you have experienced family violence from someone who is a New Zealand citizen or resident. If you are granted this visa, you will be able to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely. You can also include any dependent children who are 24 years or younger in your application.
As part of your application for this visa you will be required to show that you are not able to return to your home country.
If you are here on a temporary visa and it is going to expire before a decision is made regarding your residence application, you will need to apply for another temporary visa if you wish to stay in New Zealand. Interim visas are not issued to those who have made applications for resident visas.
Talk to us today and we can help you through the process of obtaining a family violence visa.
How Pier Law can help:
- By assessing your eligibility for this visa
- Reviewing documents and advising what documents are required for this application
- Preparing written submissions for the application and liaising with Immigration NZ to represent you on this matter