The pair applied for a partnership visa once married, but it was declined, as they had not been together long enough – which the couple accepted. Chaudhari was instead offered a general visitor’s visa by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) on March 5, but not a Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa (CAMV visa). Lawyer Mark Luscombe, who began assisting the couple last August, said they were given 24 hours to accept the visitor’s visa, which they did. On March 19, 2020, she was halted at Mumbai airport as New Zealand closed its borders due to Covid-19.
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Ketan Barhate, pictured with his parents, Mahananda Barhate and Ghanashyam Barhate, has had to return to India to live with his wife Kalindi, after Immigration New Zealand did not grant them a partnership visa as they had not been living together long enough.