More Culturally Arranged Marriage (CAM) visitor visa applications get declined than approved.
Immigration New Zealand’s year to date statistics show only 69 people have been approved CAM visas, while 93 have been declined. That means 57 per cent of all decisions have resulted in a decline. By comparison, INZ’s decline rate for general visitor visas is only 13 per cent.
The good news is that INZ recognises arranged marriages and even has a visa category for newlyweds to come to New Zealand. The bad news is that this visa is one of the easiest to get wrong, even for genuine couples.
This is the story of Ayesha, a Bangladeshi woman whose first two applications were declined, whose third application got the wrong assessment from INZ, and who eventually got her visa once the right pathway and the right evidence came together.
Why the CAM visa is so hard to get right
INZ’s definition of a culturally arranged marriage is one which follows an identified and recognised cultural tradition where the arrangements for the marriage, including helping select the persons to be married, are made by others.
It is often hard to prove an arranged marriage took place. Yes, two families met and discussed a match, but no records were kept.
In our experience, CAM applications run into trouble for four main reasons:
- The marriage was arranged informally and the third party involvement is hard to evidence
- The wrong visa category is chosen for the relationship stage the couple is actually at
- The evidence is not prepared to the standard INZ expects
- INZ itself sometimes applies the wrong rules to the wrong application
For a full explanation of how the CAM visa works, what INZ assesses, and the alternative pathway we often recommend, read our Culturally Arranged Marriage Visa Guide.
Ayesha’s story shows all four problems in one case.
Application one: the CAM visa, declined
Ayesha, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi woman, married Nadeem in March 2025. Nadeem is a New Zealand resident of Bangladeshi origin. They are both Muslim and share the same cultural background and language. They were introduced to each other by family members.
After the wedding, Nadeem returned to New Zealand for work. Ayesha wanted to join him so she applied for a CAM visitor visa.
The main reason the application was declined was that INZ was not satisfied that the marriage had genuinely followed a cultural tradition where a third party introduced and selected the couple.
Application two: the partner visa, declined
After the CAM visa decline, Ayesha applied under the Partner of a New Zealander category.
The core requirement for this visa is that the couple must be living together in a genuine and stable relationship.
Ayesha and Nadeem had only met in January 2025, married in March 2025, and Nadeem had returned to New Zealand weeks later. The time they had spent apart already outweighed the time they had spent together.
The evidence also had problems. Some screenshots were undated, some messages were not translated, and some address evidence raised credibility concerns.
This application was declined too.
Application three: a different approach
When Ayesha and Nadeem came to us after two declines, the problem was clear. The wrong visa categories had been chosen, and the evidence had not been prepared well enough.
We took a different approach. Instead of trying to force their circumstances into a special category with strict requirements they could not meet, we applied for a general visitor visa.
Under this category, the key question is simpler. Is this person genuinely intending a temporary visit to New Zealand for a lawful purpose?
We submitted a sponsorship form, a tenancy agreement, and a letter from Ayesha’s college confirming she could return to her studies within one to two years.
After living together in New Zealand for around 12 months, Ayesha may be able to apply for residence as Nadeem’s partner, provided all requirements are met. Her longer term plan to apply for residence later did not, by itself, mean she was not a genuine temporary visitor.
INZ gets it wrong, again
Before deciding, INZ sent us a letter outlining concerns. The letter contained serious errors.
INZ had applied the rules for a partnership visa to what was a general visitor visa application. These are two different visa categories with two different sets of requirements.
INZ also asked for proof that the couple’s marriage had followed a recognised cultural tradition. That requirement simply does not exist for a general visitor visa. Letters of support from both sets of parents, already submitted, had been completely overlooked.
We wrote back formally, pointing out each error. The case officer did not respond substantively for nearly three weeks. We then escalated the matter directly to the case officer’s manager.
The manager reviewed everything and accepted our position. He confirmed that the strength of the couple’s relationship was a genuine reason for the visit, even if Ayesha had limited ties to her home country.
Once the application was assessed under the correct category, the visa was approved.
Lessons from Ayesha’s case
Having a genuine relationship is not enough on its own. You need to apply under the right visa category, prepare the right evidence, and know what INZ is and is not allowed to ask of you.
Two previous declines did not mean the door was closed. It meant better advice was needed.
If you are considering a culturally arranged marriage visa
With 57 per cent of CAM decisions resulting in a decline, this is one of the most difficult visa categories in the system. The rules are narrow, the evidence bar is high, and as Ayesha’s case shows, even INZ does not always apply its own rules correctly.
At Visa Matters, we specialise in helping couples navigate the culturally arranged marriage process. We can assess whether your marriage meets INZ’s CAM definition, whether another pathway would better suit your situation, and what risks exist now and later in the process. We also push back when INZ gets a decision wrong.
If your visa has been declined, or you are unsure which category fits your situation, get advice before applying again. The right visa category and the right evidence can make all the difference.
Read our full Culturally Arranged Marriage Visa Guide, or get in touch to talk to one of our licensed advisers.
