Visas for Dependent Children: Keeping Your Family Together in New Zealand
We know what it means to be separated from your children. If you are working, studying, or living in New Zealand, there are several visa options available to ensure your kids can grow up right by your side. Our experts guide you through the requirements to make the move as smooth as possible for your family.
01. Introduction
You can often add your children to your own visa application or apply for a separate visa based on your relationship with them. To qualify as a “dependent child,” they generally must be single, rely on you for financial support, and fall within a specific age bracket.
Whether you are making a new visa application, are already here on a valid visa, or are a New Zealand citizen, we help you understand the rules for your specific situation. We focus on getting the paperwork right the first time so you can spend less time on forms and more time with your family.
If you are a New Zealand resident or citizen, your children can apply for a Dependent Child Resident Visa. This allows them to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely. The rules for “dependency” change as children get older:
- Under 17: The child must be single.
- 18–20: The child must be single and have no children of their own.
- 21–24: The child must be single, have no children, and show they are totally or substantially reliant on an adult for financial support.
If your child is 16 or older, they may also need to meet English language requirements. If you didn’t include your children in your own original residence application, Immigration New Zealand will ask for an explanation. We can help you draft these statements to ensure your family’s history is presented clearly.
If you are in New Zealand on a temporary visa (like a work or student visa), your children can join you on a Dependent Child Visitor Visa or a Dependent Child Student Visa.
For temporary visas, children are usually considered dependent up to the age of 19. If your child is 20 or older, they generally cannot be included in a parent’s temporary visa application and may need to apply for their own visa, such as a student or work visa, to stay in the country. We can help you assess these “over-age” cases to find the best alternative pathway for your older children.
One of the biggest benefits for families is that many children of work visa holders can attend primary and secondary school as “domestic students.” This means you do not have to pay expensive international tuition fees.
- The visa match: To attend school, children need a Dependent Child Student Visa, which is usually tied to the expiry date of the parent’s visa.
- Student visa holders: If you are a student yourself, your children can only get a student visa if you are studying toward a PhD or are on a specific government-approved scholarship.
Tertiary study: If your child wants to attend university or a polytechnic, they will usually need to apply for their own Student Visa as an international student unless the family holds residency.
- Dependent Child Student Visa fee: Approximately NZD $750.
- Dependent Child Resident Visa fee: Approximately NZD $3,230.
- Processing times: Student and visitor visas for children are often fast-tracked and can be approved in 5-8 weeks, while residency applications can take 6-10 months.
No surprises: We provide a clear cost breakdown for the whole family upfront. We also check “custody rights” early in the process. If you are a single parent or separated, you must show you have the legal right to move your child to New Zealand. We help you identify the specific court or legal documents needed so your application isn’t stalled by unexpected requests for more information.
