Mr Tsering, a Tibetan, has been granted a conditional 12-month open visa, meaning the couple can continue to call Dunedin home.
The Tserings - who married in 2016, two weeks after they first met - have lived for months under the threat of Mr Tsering being deported after Immigration New Zealand officials raised concerns about whether their relationship was real.
INZ based its view, in part, on information gathered during an 8am visit to the couple's home.
Officials concluded ``they indicate a general lack of in-depth knowledge of one another as a couple, as well as lack of development of a genuine and credible relationship.''
The pair are adamant their marriage is genuine, and their applications have been supported by letters written by family, friends and referees, as well as Thuten Kesang, honorary secretary of the Office of Tibet in New Zealand.
Mrs Tsering said her husband was thrilled he was allowed to stay.
``We want to thank everyone involved for their support,'' she said.
INZ manager Michael Carley confirmed last night a request for a visa under section 61 of the Immigration Act 2009 was in its final stages of assessment.
