Dependent Child Visitor Visa

Dependent Children Visa

Often parents want visas for dependent children. If children are single, financially reliant on the parents and the right age, they can be included in their parent’s visitor visa application. They may also be able to apply for a visa based on their relationship to their parent, if their parent already has or is applying for a temporary visa, or is a New Zealand resident/citizen.

The child’s age, parent’s visa type and its conditions will usually determine if you need to apply for a dependent child student visa or visitor visa when applying under the temporary visa category. It is important to note that dependent children are not eligible for work visas.

If the parent(s) are citizens/residents, then dependent children may be eligible to apply for a resident visa under the dependent child category or a visitor–dependent child of a New Zealand citizen /resident visa which allows a maximum stay of 9 months.

Dependent children must also meet the health, character and fund requirements. It is important to note that the holder of an essential skills work visa can support visitor or student visas for dependent children, as long as they meet the minimum income requirement of NZ$ 43,322.76 per year.

The age criteria for dependent children is explained below:

Temporary visas

• Children 17 and under – if they are single and financially reliant on parents
• Children aged 18 or 19 – if they are single, don’t have any children of their own, and are financially reliant on parents.

Children aged 20 and over are not eligible to be included in their parents’ visitor visa applications or to apply for a visitor or student visa based on their relationship with their parents. They may still, however, be able to join their parents in New Zealand if they apply for a visa in their own right.

Resident visas

• Children 17 and under – if they are single
• Children aged 18 to 20 – if they are single and don’t have any children of their own
• Children aged 21 to 24 – if they are single, don’t have any children of their own, and are financially reliant on an adult.

If children do not meet the criteria for dependent children, they may still be able to join their parents in New Zealand if they apply in their own right.

To find out more about how to apply under this Dependent Children Visa category, assessment criteria and the pitfalls that you should be aware of, please call us today on +64 9 379 0219 or email [email protected]