New Zealand•OceaniaDependent Child Student Visa
At a Glance
1 day – 2 months
NZD $750
Aligns with the parent's visa duration
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Lets dependent children aged 19 or under of NZ work or student visa holders study at primary or secondary school for the duration of the parent's visa.
The NZ Dependent Child Student Visa lets a parent on a qualifying work or student visa bring a child aged 19 or younger to study at a NZ primary or secondary school. Seasonal, fishing crew and working holiday parents are non-qualifying. The child must be financially dependent and the parent must have the legal right to remove them from their home country. Children may be treated as domestic students.
Application is online for NZD 750, with 80% of decisions in 7 weeks. The visa expires alongside the parent's visa and is not independently renewable. Parents must show NZD 17,000 per year (or NZD 1,417 per month) or an acceptable sponsor; AEWV, Religious Worker and Essential Skills parents must also earn NZD 55,844 per year. No direct PR pathway.
This visa is ideal for parents on a qualifying NZ work or student visa who need a school-age dependent child to live and study at primary or secondary level for the duration of the parent's stay.
Cost Breakdown
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Child must be aged 19 or younger, in good health and of good character
Parent must hold a qualifying work or student visa (visitor visas do not qualify)
Child must be financially dependent on the parent or the parent's partner
Parent must have the legal right to remove the child from their home country
Parent must show NZD 17,000 per year (or NZD 1,417 per month) for living costs, or have an acceptable sponsor or guarantor
If on an AEWV, Religious Worker or Essential Skills visa, parent must earn at least NZD 55,844 per year
Child must intend to study at a New Zealand primary or secondary school
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Child's passport (copy for online applications)
1 acceptable photo (2 if paper application)
Evidence of parent-child relationship (e.g. birth certificate, adoption papers)
Legal custody documents if parents are separated or divorced
Proof of funds: NZD 17,000 per year of study or NZD 1,417 per month, or evidence of an acceptable sponsor or guarantor
Evidence of parent's qualifying work or student visa and (if applicable) salary meeting NZD 55,844 threshold
Financial Undertaking for a Student (INZ 1014) if the child has a guarantor
Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025) if a sponsor is supporting the child
Chest X-ray and/or medical certificate if required by stay length or country of residence
Police certificates if the child is 17+ and will be in New Zealand for 24+ months
Evidence the child can leave New Zealand at the end of stay (e.g. flight booking, funds, sponsor agreement)
Certified English translations of any non-English documents
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Children may be treated as domestic students at primary and secondary schools (no international tuition fees)
- Allows dependent children to live with a parent on a qualifying NZ work or student visa
- Online application via the parent's Immigration New Zealand account
- 80% of applications are decided within 7 weeks
- Visa duration automatically matches the supporting parent's visa, simplifying renewal planning
- Can be lodged at the same time as the parent's own visa application
Worth Knowing
- Parent must show NZD 17,000 per year (or NZD 1,417 per month) in living-cost evidence, or use an acceptable sponsor
- Parents on AEWV, Religious Worker or Essential Skills visas must earn at least NZD 55,844 per year
- Visa cannot last longer than the parent's visa; no independent renewal
- No direct pathway to permanent residence
- Chest X-ray, medical certificate and police certificates may be required depending on stay length and age
- Child is older than 19 at the time of application
- Parent holds a seasonal, fishing crew, working holiday or Skilled Migrant Job Search visa (these bar dependents)
- Parent on AEWV/Religious Worker/Essential Skills visa earns under NZD 55,844/year without a qualifying exception
Application Process
Gather supporting documents (passport, photos, relationship and custody evidence, proof of funds, X-ray or medical if required, police certificates if required)
Complete the online application in your Immigration New Zealand account and upload scanned documents
Pay the NZD 750 application fee and submit
Respond to any INZ requests for further evidence and wait for the decision (typically up to 7 weeks)
Application Forms
| Online application (Immigration New Zealand account) | Fill online |
| Financial Undertaking for a Student (INZ 1014)Optional | Fill online |
| Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025)Optional | Fill online |
| Sponsorship Form for Religious Workers (INZ 1190)Optional | Fill online |
Related visas
More visas in New Zealand
Family visas in other countries
Ready to see if the Dependent Child Student Visa is your visa path?
Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free to use.
Start Visa Discovery