The residence category for victims of domestic violence has been launched for the purpose of:

• Facilitating partners of the Kiwi citizens or residence class visa holders in the following situations:
  (a) If the non-resident partner wishes to stay back in the Kiwi country and obtain NZ residence class visas, making his/her relationship with the NZ resident/citizen partner as the basis, however, the relationship has already ended owing to domestic violence by the NZ citizen or resident on his/her non-resident partner or their dependent child; AND
  (b) If the non-resident partner is not willing to return to his/her home country, owing to the effects of social stigma, or simply he/she would not have other source of financial support in the home country; AND

The purpose of having a residence category for victims of domestic violence is to recognize the country’s international responsibility, such as (i) to abolish the bias against women, pertaining to marital or family issues (to comply with the Article 16, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women); and (ii) to guard children from the violence, be it physical or mental (to comply with Article 19, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child).

Eligibility criteria for victims of domestic violence to obtain a NZ residence class visa

An individual is eligible to obtain NZ residency under the residence class visa category as the prey of the domestic violence if he/she is, or has been a partner of a NZ citizen or resident; or both are in a domestic relationship, however, the union has ended because of domestic violence on the non-resident partner by the NZ resident. If the individual has the willingness to obtain a NZ residency on the basis of that partnership, along with meeting all the health and character requirements, then he/she is eligible to attain New Zealand residence under this category.

If you are interested in applying for a residence permit to New Zealand, mail following information ASAP at ajay@abhinav.com for a free of charge assessment by Ajay Sharma, principal consultant, ABHINAV.

• Your updated resume if skilled professional, or if businessmen, then brief on business profile along with information on your current personal net worth.
• If married, provide the resume for your spouse as well.
• If applicable, please provide information on children and their age.
• Information on any blood relatives residing in New Zealand. This is not a compulsory requirement to qualify for immigration to New Zealand, but serves as additional positive assessment and suitability factor.