Knowledgebase

Dependent Child Student Visa – New Zealand

For children aged 19 or under who are financially dependent on an eligible parent in New Zealand.

Overview

The Dependent Child Student Visa allows children aged 19 years or under to study in New Zealand while their parent is living in New Zealand on an eligible work visa or (in some cases) a PhD-level student visa. It’s designed to help families move together and keep children’s schooling consistent.

Who it can suit

  • Child is 19 years old or younger
  • Child is financially dependent on the parent
  • Parent holds an eligible NZ work visa (or eligible PhD-level student visa)
  • Child plans to study at a primary or secondary school in New Zealand

Key benefits (where eligible)

A common advantage is that eligible children may be treated as domestic students for government primary and secondary schools, which can mean no tuition fees.

Eligibility depends on the parent’s visa type and current policy settings.

Important points to know

  • Not all work visa holders can sponsor a Dependent Child Student Visa.
  • The child’s visa is often granted for the same duration as the parent’s visa.
  • If the child wants to study at tertiary level (college/university), a fee-paying student visa may be required instead.
  • If the child doesn’t qualify under this category, a fee-paying student visa may still be an option.

FAQs

1) Who can apply?
Children 19 or under, financially dependent, with an eligible parent visa in New Zealand, studying at primary/secondary level.

2) Will my child need to pay school fees?
In many cases, eligible children may be treated as domestic students for government primary/secondary schooling. This depends on parent visa type and policy settings.

3) How long can my child stay?
Often aligned to the parent’s visa duration. Extensions may require a new application.

4) Can my child study at tertiary level?
Typically no — tertiary study usually requires a fee-paying student visa.

5) What if I’m not eligible to sponsor?
There may still be alternative pathways, including fee-paying student visas; eligibility should be assessed case-by-case.

Talk to an adviser
Eligibility depends on the parent’s visa type and your family circumstances. We can confirm options and next steps.
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Disclaimer: General information only. Immigration policy can change and every case differs.