BorderProofBorderProof
ExploreCompareCountriesJobsUS onlyInsightsOur MissionFind My Visa Sign In
ExploreCompareCountriesJobsUS onlyInsightsOur Mission
Sign InFind My Visa
BorderProof

Helping you navigate the complex world of global mobility.

Platform

  • Browse Visas
  • Match Finder
  • Compare Options
  • Global Insights
  • Our Mission
  • Contact Us

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Not Legal Advice
© 2026 BorderProof™. All rights reserved. Images by Unsplash/Picsum.
Dependent Child Student Visa
VisasNew ZealandDependent Child Student Visa
New ZealandNew Zealand•Oceania
Open

Dependent Child Student Visa

Study

At a Glance

Processing Time

1-49 days

Application Fee

750 NZD

Stay Duration

Aligns with the parent's visa duration

Renewable

No

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Not Specified

PR Pathway

No

Remote Work

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 ineligible. 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.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Child must be aged 19 or younger, in good health and of good character

Parent must hold an eligible 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 eligible 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

1

Gather supporting documents (passport, photos, relationship and custody evidence, proof of funds, X-ray or medical if required, police certificates if required)

2

Complete the online application in your Immigration New Zealand account and upload scanned documents

3

Pay the NZD 750 application fee and submit

4

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)OptionalFill online
Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025)OptionalFill online
Sponsorship Form for Religious Workers (INZ 1190)OptionalFill online

Verified Claims (8)

Last verified May 31, 2026
Application StepsGather supporting documents (passport, photos, relationship and custody evidence, proof of funds, X-…immigration.govt.nz
BlockersChild is older than 19; Parent holds a Fishing Crew, Recognised Seasonal Employer, Supplementary Sea…immigration.govt.nz
FormsOnline application (Immigration New Zealand account); Financial Undertaking for a Student (INZ 1014)…immigration.govt.nz
Petitionerfamilyimmigration.govt.nz
Processing Estimates{"minDays":1,"maxDays":49,"percentile":80}immigration.govt.nz
Processing Time80% within 7 weeksimmigration.govt.nz
Required DocsChild's passport (copy for online applications); 1 acceptable photo (2 if paper application); Eviden…immigration.govt.nz
RequirementsChild must be aged 19 or younger, in good health and of good character; Parent must hold an eligible…immigration.govt.nz

Ready to see if the Dependent Child Student Visa is your path?

Let's check your eligibility against published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.

Check Eligibility