Legal options for immigrant women in abusive relationships

Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley has provided information on legal options for people in violent relationships when immigration status appears to be a reason to stay in the relationship.

Victims of domestic violence may stay in abusive relationships to retain their immigration status in New Zealand or to meet immigration requirements if their visa in New Zealand is linked to that of their partner. The article "When leaving a violent partner will make you 'unlawful'" provides information on "special visas" provided by Immigration New Zealand for victims of domestic violence whose partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident visa holder.  

Special visas allow women to apply without the support of their partner and, if they meet the requirements, be granted an independent legal immigration status in New Zealand. Special visas include temporary work visas (and resident visas in some circumstances). Children may be included in the applications. Applications are confidential and Immigration New Zealand will not notfiy the former partner.

The special visas do not apply if the partner is in New Zealand on a temporary visa.

Image: Parent and child by skyseeker. Licence: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)