New Zealand•Oceania

Open

Limited Visa

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

2 weeks

Application Fee

Free

Stay Duration

Determined by express purpose

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Overview

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

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

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

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 you meet eligibility 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 $750) and IVL if applicable

Respond to any further information or document requests from INZ

Verified Claims (15)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Check you meet eligibility for a Limited Visa (genuine express purpose, intent to leave); Gather sup…	immigration.govt.nz
Criminal Policy	Standard good character; police certificates required if total NZ time >= 24 months or on request (n…	immigration.govt.nz
Dependent Visa	Partner and dependent children under 19 may be included if genuine relationship is proven; not avail…	immigration.govt.nz
Fees	From NZD $750	immigration.govt.nz
Job Offer Required	false	immigration.govt.nz
Official Info	https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/limited-visa	immigration.govt.nz
Official Code	Limited Visa	immigration.govt.nz
Petitioner	self	immigration.govt.nz

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