New Zealand•OceaniaV3.100 — Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa
At a Glance
1 month
NZD $441
Duration matches child's student visa validity
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Lets a parent or legal guardian of a child on a New Zealand student visa live in NZ to care for them, valid for the duration of the child's study.
The Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa is issued by Immigration New Zealand under Operational Manual category V3.100 to a single parent or legal guardian of a child holding a current NZ student visa. The child must be 17 or younger or enrolled in school years 1-13, and the guardian must live with and actively care for them throughout the stay.
It is multiple-entry, aligned with the student visa, and renewable while qualification holds. The fee starts at NZD 441 (online, IVL included where applicable) and 80% of cases are decided within 6 weeks. Applicants must show NZD 1,000/month in funds (NZD 400 if accommodation is prepaid), onward-travel evidence and good health/character. Work is barred except remotely for an overseas employer.
This visa is ideal for a parent or court-appointed guardian of a school-age international student in New Zealand who can self-fund the stay and does not need local work rights.
Cost Breakdown
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Child must hold current student visa and be 17 or under
Must be biological parent or legal guardian
Financial requirement (NZ$1,000/month or NZ$400 if accommodation pre-paid)
Health and character checks required
Must demonstrate plans to leave New Zealand
Must live with and actively care for child
Only one guardian visa issued per child at a time
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Savings
12,000 NZD
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport (or certificate of identity) valid for at least 3 months after planned departure date
One acceptable photo (or two if applying on paper)
Evidence you are the parent or legal guardian (birth certificate, adoption papers, court documents)
Evidence the child holds a current New Zealand student visa and is 17 or younger or in school years 1-13
Evidence of sufficient funds: bank statements, credit-card statements, or proof of prepaid accommodation
Evidence of onward travel: a ticket out of New Zealand or funds to buy one
Chest X-ray and/or medical certificate if required (less than 3 months old)
Police certificates less than 6 months old if aged 17+ and total NZ stay will be 24+ months
Certified English translations of any documents not in English
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Stay aligned with the child's full student-visa duration, removing year-by-year visa stress
- Multiple-entry visa allows departures and re-entries during the stay
- Funds threshold is modest: NZ$1,000/month (or NZ$400 if accommodation is prepaid)
- Remote work for an overseas employer is permitted, supporting digital-first careers
- Renewable as long as the child remains enrolled and guardianship requirements are met
- 80% of applications decided within 6 weeks - fast turnaround by global standards
- Cost is competitive at NZD 441 (online), with IVL bundled where it applies
Worth Knowing
- Only one parent or legal guardian may hold the visa at a time, even with multiple children studying
- No work rights in New Zealand other than remote work for an overseas business
- Partners and other dependent children are not covered - each needs their own visa
- Police certificates required for stays of 24 months or longer (aged 17+)
- Guardian must live with and actively care for the child; absences require child's visa to be varied
- Child must be 17 or under, or enrolled in school years 1-13, with a current NZ student visa
- Grandparents and other relatives are not qualifying unless legally recognised as the child's guardian
- No pathway to permanent residency or to a local work visa from this category
Application Process
Gather documents
proof of guardianship, passport, photos, evidence of funds, onward-travel proof
Arrange chest X-ray or medical examination if required (stay >6 or >12 months / from non-low-TB country)
Obtain police certificates if aged 17+ and total NZ stay will be 24 months or longer
Create or log into a RealMe / Immigration Online account at apply.immigration.govt.nz
Complete the online visitor visa application (Guardian of a Student category), upload documents and pay the fee
Respond to any INZ requests for further documents and await decision (80% decided within 6 weeks)
Related visas
More visas in New Zealand
Family visas in other countries
- Bereaved Partner Visa
United Kingdom
- Orphan Relative Visa
Australia
- Dependent Entry Permit
Papua New Guinea
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