Master prompt
Family inclusion + transition to Permanent Resident Visa (NZ investor)
Include spouse/partner + dependent children in AIPV / EWV application. Spouse work rights, children school enrolment, transition from Resident to PRV after 2y meeting travel conditions, Indefinite Returning Resident Visa.
NZInvestor visaFamilyPRVDependantsSpouseChildrenIRRV
Advise [CLIENT_NAME] and family on inclusion of spouse / partner + dependent children in the NZ investor visa application, NZ rights of dependants, and the transition to Permanent Resident Visa (PRV).
FAMILY SUMMARY
- Principal applicant: [CLIENT_NAME]
- Spouse / partner: [SPOUSE_NAME] (Married)
- Children: No children
- Primary visa pathway: [PRIMARY_VISA_PATHWAY]
- Spouse plans in NZ: [SPOUSE_INTENTIONS]
- Relocation timing: [RELOCATION_TIMING]
§1 — DEPENDANT DEFINITIONS UNDER INZ INSTRUCTIONS
(A) Partner — Operational Manual F2 (Partnership):
- Legal spouse (registered marriage) — straightforward
- Civil union partner — recognised
- De facto partner — must demonstrate "genuine and stable" partnership of 12+ months (cohabiting, sharing finances, social recognition)
- Sufficient evidence: joint bank accounts, lease / mortgage in both names, joint utility bills, photos over time, statements from family / friends, registered partnership documents
For Married:
- Married (registered): include marriage certificate + photos / joint records
- De facto: comprehensive cohabitation dossier required
- Single: no partner inclusion
(B) Dependent children — Operational Manual F4:
- Under 18: automatically dependent (must show legal custody if separated parents)
- 18-24: dependent if single AND wholly or substantially reliant on principal for financial support AND no children of their own
- 25+: generally NOT dependent under current INZ rules (// 2026-05 — verify; rules have been adjusted)
For each child in No children, state status (dependent / independent / borderline).
(C) Excluded family:
- Parents of principal: NOT dependants under investor visas; consider Parent Resident Visa (separate category) — note this category has been on/off + reformed
- Adult siblings: NOT dependants
§2 — DOCUMENTATION FOR PARTNER INCLUSION
Standard pack:
(a) Marriage certificate (registered) — if married
- Original + apostille / verification per Hague Convention (India is signatory since 2005 — apostille from MEA)
- English translation if not in English (NAATI / authorised translator)
(b) De facto evidence pack — if not married
(c) Partner's passport (full set of pages — biographical + endorsements)
(d) Partner's medical + chest X-ray + police clearances (each country resided 12+ months in 10y)
(e) Partner's CV + qualifications (if planning to work in NZ)
(f) Partner's English evidence (IELTS 5 for AIPV partner — verify current settings)
(g) Joint bank statements (last 6 months)
(h) Joint property / lease documents
(i) Photos across the relationship's duration
§3 — DOCUMENTATION FOR CHILDREN INCLUSION
Per dependent child:
(a) Long-form birth certificate (showing both parents)
(b) Passport (full set of pages)
(c) School records (last 2-3 years)
(d) Medical + chest X-ray (children 11+ — verify age threshold)
(e) Police clearances (children 17+ from country of residence)
(f) For 18-24 dependants:
- Proof of financial dependence (e.g. principal's bank account funding child's expenses)
- Educational enrolment if studying (full-time)
- Statutory declaration of dependence
- Confirmation child is single + no own children
(g) Custody / guardianship documents (if applicable):
- Court order / consent of non-accompanying parent for any travel + relocation
- Indian Court permission for minor child relocation (where applicable under Guardian and Wards Act)
§4 — RIGHTS OF DEPENDANTS ON GRANT
If principal applicant is granted a RESIDENT visa (AIPV grant, ERV grant, etc.), dependants included on the application typically receive RESIDENT visas too.
If principal is on a WORK visa (EWV start-up / balance stage):
- Partner: eligible for Partner of Worker Work Visa (open work rights in NZ)
- Children: eligible for Dependent Child Student Visa (NZ school enrolment as domestic students for fees purposes typically requires Resident — confirm)
Resident visa dependants (post-grant):
- Full work rights for partner (no restrictions on employer or hours)
- Children entitled to NZ public schools (fees-free, ages 5-19)
- Access to public healthcare (NZ Public Health System via PHO enrolment)
- Free or subsidised tertiary fees after meeting "domestic student" definition (typically 3y residence)
- Free school + early childhood education (20 hours ECE for 3-5y olds)
§5 — SPOUSE / PARTNER WORK RIGHTS
For [SPOUSE_INTENTIONS]:
If [SPOUSE_NAME] receives a Resident visa under the application:
- Open work rights from day of grant
- Can work for any NZ employer, any role, any hours
- Can be self-employed
- Can study
- Can buy / sell businesses
Practical considerations for [SPOUSE_NAME]'s pathway:
- Professional registration (NZ Medical Council, NZ Nursing Council, NZ Law Society, ICANZ for accountants) — many regulated professions require NZ-recognised qualification or assessment
- For [SPOUSE_INTENTIONS] = qualified physiotherapist: Physiotherapy Board of NZ assessment / re-registration required
- For [SPOUSE_INTENTIONS] = teacher: Teaching Council registration + possible bridging
- For [SPOUSE_INTENTIONS] = entrepreneur: free to set up business in NZ; engage NZ accountant for tax structure
- For [SPOUSE_INTENTIONS] = caregiver / homemaker: no visa restriction
§6 — CHILDREN'S SCHOOLING
(a) Compulsory schooling: 6-16 years old
(b) Public school enrolment based on residential zone (zoned schools)
(c) State schools: free for residents/citizens (donations encouraged)
(d) State-integrated schools (special character, often religious): free for residents but typically have "attendance dues"
(e) Private / independent schools: NZ$15K-40K/year (Auckland Grammar, ACG, Kings College, Diocesan)
(f) International Baccalaureate available at select schools (option for continuity with Indian IB)
(g) NZ curriculum at primary; NCEA / IB / Cambridge at secondary
(h) University: free or subsidised after meeting domestic-student criteria (typically 3y residence)
(i) Mid-year transfers: NZ school year runs late January to mid-December; consider relocation timing
For No children + [RELOCATION_TIMING], advise:
- Best month to enrol (Term 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 commencement)
- Zone considerations for target [TARGET_LOCATION_NZ] (Auckland Grammar zone, etc.)
- International transition support at NZ schools
§7 — TRANSITION FROM RESIDENT TO PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA (PRV)
NZ visa hierarchy:
1. Resident Visa: residence permission granted, with travel conditions (typically 2 years to enter + stay in NZ as resident before travel conditions expire)
2. Permanent Resident Visa: no travel conditions; full residence rights, can come and go indefinitely
3. NZ Citizenship (after 5 years; see citizenship file)
PRV requirements (typically — verify current INZ Operational Manual A11):
(a) Hold a Resident visa
(b) Met conditions of the Resident visa for at least 2 years
(c) For AIPV: maintained the qualifying investment for the required period
(d) For EWV → ERV pathway: maintained the business / met ERV conditions
(e) Tax compliance + good character maintained
(f) Have shown commitment to NZ via one of:
- Tax residence — primary NZ tax residence for ≥ 41 days each of last 2 years (verify)
- Investment commitment — qualifying investment maintained
- Business commitment — ERV business operating
- Strong family ties — partner / children NZ-based
- Combination of factors
Once PRV granted: no travel conditions; can leave and return at any time without losing residence.
§8 — IF TRAVEL CONDITIONS LAPSE — INDEFINITE RETURNING RESIDENT VISA (IRRV)
If the principal applicant or dependant lets the Resident visa's travel conditions expire (e.g. by being out of NZ longer than allowed without holding PRV):
- Cannot enter NZ as a resident automatically
- Must apply for Variation of Travel Conditions OR Returning Resident's Visa
- Indefinite Returning Resident's Visa (IRRV) granted in stronger commitment cases — equivalent to PRV in effect
- In weaker cases, may be granted a fresh Resident visa with new (typically shorter) travel conditions
To preserve PRV path:
- Within first 2 years on Resident visa, ensure travel conditions met (enter NZ at least once before expiry; live in NZ as resident)
- Track travel conditions printed on visa
- Apply for PRV as soon as conditions met — does not need to wait
§9 — INDIAN-SIDE CONSIDERATIONS FOR FAMILY
For each family member:
(a) Indian citizenship status — surrender / OCI applies only on NZ citizenship grant (Year 5+), NOT on NZ residency grant — Indian passport remains valid through residence period
(b) Indian tax residency — break under IT Act 1961 s.6 in year of physical relocation
(c) Aadhaar + PAN retention recommended
(d) Indian bank accounts: convert to NRO when becoming NRI under FEMA
(e) Children's Indian school records: obtain transfer certificates, board exam results (CBSE / ICSE / state board), Hindi language verification for NZ NCEA
(f) Indian property in family member names: continues OK; can sell or rent post-relocation
§10 — RELOCATION SEQUENCING (per [RELOCATION_TIMING])
Option A — Whole family Day 1:
- All visas in hand before any departure
- Schools booked, healthcare enrolled, accommodation arranged
- Pros: clean break, family unity, school year alignment if timed well
- Cons: heavy upfront execution; whole household in transit
Option B — Principal first, family later:
- Principal applicant relocates, sets up business / deploys investment
- Family joins after 3-12 months (often aligned with school year)
- Pros: principal manages setup; family disruption deferred
- Cons: extended family separation; partner / children dependants must travel on principal's grant within visa terms
Option C — Principal travels, family stays primarily in India:
- Principal meets 117-day AIPV presence minimum but family-based primarily in India
- Practical for AIPV passive investors with established India life
- Pros: minimal family disruption
- Cons: weakens "intent-to-reside / close connection" later for citizenship (s.8(2)(d)); children unlikely to develop NZ ties for domestic-student status
For [RELOCATION_TIMING] state recommended sequencing approach.
§11 — TIMELINE FOR FAMILY + PR TRANSITION
Year 0: AIPV / EWV grant → Resident visa for principal + all dependants
Year 0-2: Resident visa with travel conditions
- Investment maintained / business operated
- Family schooling + work + integration
- 117 days NZ presence accrued (AIPV) OR EWV operating conditions met
Year 2: Apply for PRV (no travel conditions)
Year 2-4: PRV holder
- For AIPV: complete 4-year investment + 117-day presence
- For EWV: transition to ERV (if not already done); operate business
Year 5: Apply for NZ Citizenship (see citizenship file)
- 240 days/year + 1,350 days total across 5y residency
§12 — RISKS + RED FLAGS
□ Partner relationship breakdown post-residence — Partner visa contingent on partnership; separation affects status
□ Children aging out of "dependant" status mid-process — track 18, 24 birthdays carefully
□ Non-accompanying parent's consent — if separated parents, custody / consent rigorously needed
□ Children's Hindi / English transition — NCEA / Cambridge differences from CBSE / ICSE
□ Spouse's professional re-registration — may take 12-24 months for regulated professions
□ Travel conditions tracking — Resident visa lapses if conditions not met
□ Tax residency mismatch — one spouse NZ-resident, other still India-resident creates international tax complexity
End with: "DRAFT family inclusion + PR transition advisory — for IAA-licensed adviser review. Verify current Operational Manual F2 (Partnership), F4 (Dependent Children), A11 (PRV), and current rules for spouse work rights + child schooling. The transition Resident → PRV → Citizenship is a 5-7 year journey; advise the client to plan family decisions (school enrolment, professional re-registration, property purchase) with that horizon in mind. Engage NZ-based family lawyer for any custody / consent matters before relocation."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt