Overview (What is Form INZ 1146?)
#This is a supporting declaration, not the visa application and not a financial sponsorship form. New Zealand citizens/residents and eligible work/student visa holders use the applicable sections to confirm identity, status, partnership support and character information.
Context and workflow
#Partnership-based temporary visas require the applicant and supporting partner to be living together when they apply. The 12-month cohabitation rule belongs to specified residence categories, not every temporary partnership application.
Who uses it
The supporting partner completes INZ 1146 when their partner applies for a partnership-based temporary work or visitor visa. Work/student visa holders generally complete the identity/status sections and declaration; New Zealand citizens/residents complete the additional eligibility sections relevant to them.
When it is used
- Supporting a Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- Supporting a temporary work/visitor visa based on partnership with a New Zealand citizen or resident
- Supporting a temporary visa based on an eligible student visa
- Supporting a culturally arranged marriage visitor application where applicable
What it asks for (What does Form INZ 1146 ask for?)
#- Supporting partner identity and contact information
- New Zealand citizenship, residence, work or student visa status
- Visa applicant identity
- Partnership and support details
- Previous partnership support and character declarations
- Supporting partner signature and date
What you need (What do you need for Form INZ 1146?)
#- Current INZ 1146
- Supporting partner passport/status evidence
- Work visa, employment, occupation and pay evidence where partner-support thresholds apply
- Relationship and living-together evidence referenced by the declaration
- Character evidence or explanation where requested
- Main applicant’s INZ 1198 or online application details
Evidence checklist
#- Current INZ 1146
- Supporting partner passport/status evidence
- Work visa, employment, occupation and pay evidence where partner-support thresholds apply
- Relationship and living-together evidence referenced by the declaration
- Character evidence or explanation where requested
- Main applicant’s INZ 1198 or online application details
Checklist (What is the Form INZ 1146 checklist?)
#- Confirm the supporting partner’s visa/job can support the requested visa
- Complete only the sections that apply to the supporting partner category
- Make all answers consistent with INZ 1198 and relationship evidence
- Attach status, employment/pay and character evidence where required
- Supporting partner signs and dates the declaration
- Give it to the applicant for inclusion with the visa application
Fees
#INZ 1146 has no separate fee; the underlying visa fee applies.
Where to file
#Do not submit INZ 1146 by itself. Include it with the partnership-based temporary visa application online or in the paper package sent to the INZ receiving office listed for the application.
File online
Upload the completed form and supporting evidence in the online partnership visa application where prompted.
Submit application
Include the form in the paper INZ 1198 package and send it to the receiving office specified by INZ for your location.
The online application may replace INZ 1198 itself, but INZ can still require the supporting partner’s completed INZ 1146 upload.
Form sections (What sections does Form INZ 1146 have?)
#Identify the supporting partner category
Select whether the supporter is a New Zealand citizen/resident or holds/is applying for an eligible work or student visa, then follow the form’s section routing.
Match the applicant and partnership record
Enter the visa applicant’s identity and make relationship details consistent with INZ 1198, the online application and living-together evidence.
Complete eligibility, character and declaration
Disclose previous support and relevant character matters, attach status/job evidence where needed, and have the supporting partner sign and date the form.
Common mistakes (What mistakes are common with Form INZ 1146?)
#- Applicant signs INZ 1146 instead of the supporting partner
- Confusing partnership support with the Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry
- Using expired or incomplete work-visa/pay evidence
- Omitting previous support or character information
- Submitting INZ 1146 by itself
Examples (What are examples for Form INZ 1146?)
#- An AEWV holder completes INZ 1146 and supplies occupation/pay evidence so INZ can verify family-support eligibility.
- A Post-Study Work Visa holder completes the applicable status and declaration sections and gives the form to their partner.
- A New Zealand citizen supporting a temporary partner visa completes the citizen/resident sections, not the work-visa pathway.
- An online applicant uploads the signed INZ 1146 when prompted rather than mailing it separately.
Common misconceptions (What misconceptions surround Form INZ 1146?)
#- INZ 1146 does not apply for a visa by itself.
- It is not the same as the financial Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry.
- The visa applicant should not sign the supporting partner declaration.
- Completing the form does not establish 12 months of cohabitation or guarantee approval.
- Work-visa holders must still satisfy current family-support restrictions.
- INZ 1146 has no separate filing fee, but it is not optional paperwork — failing to include it when required can delay or jeopardize the underlying case.
In-depth guidance
#Identify the supporting partner category
Select whether the supporter is a New Zealand citizen/resident or holds/is applying for an eligible work or student visa, then follow the form’s section routing.
Relationship evidence strategy
Provide a dated range of documents showing the shared home, finances, responsibilities, communication and recognition by others. Explain periods apart. Temporary applicants must be living together at application, but should not misstate the separate 12-month residence rule.
Verification
#This guide is based on the current official INZ INZ 1146 PDF, INZ 1199 temporary partnership guide, and Immigration New Zealand partnership pages reviewed on 23 July 2026.