New Zealand•OceaniaLimited Visa
At a Glance
2 weeks
NZD $505
Determined by express purpose
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Dependent child visa tied to a parent's qualifying NZ work or student visa, for a financially dependent child aged 19 or younger attending a NZ school.
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
Coming to New Zealand for an express purpose (event, medical treatment, short study, RSE seasonal work, etc.)
Genuine intention to leave New Zealand at the end of stay (or apply for another Limited Visa)
Sufficient funds (NZ $1,000/person/month visitor; NZ $1,250/person/month study) or an acceptable sponsor
Good health (chest X-ray or medical examination may be required depending on length of stay)
Good character (police certificates required if total NZ time will be 24 months or more, or on request)
Provide acceptable identity documents including passport and 2 acceptable photos
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Passport (or certificate of identity)
2 acceptable photos meeting INZ specifications
Evidence of express purpose (event invitation, medical schedule, education offer, etc.)
Evidence of sufficient funds or acceptable sponsor (NZ $1,000-$1,250/person/month)
Police certificates (if total NZ time is 24 months or more, or on request)
Chest X-ray and/or medical certificate (if length of stay triggers health requirements)
Relationship evidence (marriage/birth certificates) if including partner or dependent children
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Provides a legal entry route for genuine, time-bound purposes that don't fit visitor, student or work visa categories
- Partner and dependent children under 19 can be included on the same application (except for RSE Limited Visas)
- Processing is relatively fast — INZ processes 80% of applications within 2 weeks
- RSE express purpose allows seasonal horticulture/viticulture work under a Recognised Seasonal Employer
- Renewable onshore (another Limited Visa) if more time is needed to complete the express purpose
- Lower evidence burden when sponsored by an acceptable New Zealand sponsor
Worth Knowing
- Stay length is strictly tied to the express purpose — extensions only via another Limited Visa for the same purpose
- No work rights at all, except where granted specifically to work for a Recognised Seasonal Employer
- While onshore, you cannot apply for any other visa class — only another Limited Visa
- Applicants must show funds of NZ $1,000-$1,250 per person per month or an acceptable sponsor
- Health checks (chest X-ray or medical examination) may be required depending on length of stay
- No pathway to permanent residence — this visa cannot be used to settle in New Zealand
- Cannot switch onshore to a work, student, or residence visa class
- Failure to demonstrate a genuine express purpose or intent to depart will result in refusal
Application Process
Check your profile appears to address qualification for a Limited Visa (genuine express purpose, intent to leave)
Gather supporting evidence of your express purpose (invitation, medical schedule, education offer, RSE offer, etc.)
Prepare identity, character (police certificates if required) and health (X-ray/medical) documents
Demonstrate funds or provide an acceptable sponsor
Submit application online via Immigration Online (or paper, with supplementary forms if applicable)
Pay the application fee (from NZD $405; NZD $750 for a limited visa to study) and IVL if applicable
Respond to any further information or document requests from INZ
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