The Dependent Child Resident Visa allows you to bring your dependent children to New Zealand if you are a resident or citizen of New Zealand. With this visa, they can also study and work in New Zealand. The children can stay for an unlimited period of time in New Zealand. You can live together in New Zealand and enjoy its many benefits.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a Dependent Child Resident Visa NZ?
You must fulfill the eligibility requirements below to apply for an NZ Dependent Child Resident visa:
- Your children must be of good character.
- Your children must be in good health.
- Your children must be single and financially dependent on you.
- You must be the parent of your dependent children.
- You must be a citizen or resident of New Zealand.
- You must have the legal right to remove dependent children from their home country.
- You must prove that you live in New Zealand.
- Your dependent children older than 16 years must meet the English language requirements.
Who Is Not Eligible for an NZ Dependent Child Resident Visa?
Your children aren’t eligible for a Dependent Child Resident visa if they were eligible for New Zealand residence under the following but weren’t included in your residence application:
- Family Quota
- Refugee Family Support Category
- Samoa Quota Scheme, or
- Pacific Access Category
Note: If your child is a citizen by birth or descent, they do not need to apply for residence.
What Are the Required Documents for a Dependent Child Resident Visa NZ?
You must provide the following documents for your child to apply for a Dependent Child Resident visa NZ:
- Proof of your children’s identity
- Proof of your children’s good character
- Proof of your children’s good health
- Proof your children are financially dependent
- Proof you are the parent of your dependent children
- Proof you have the legal right to remove dependent children from their home country
- Proof you are a citizen or resident of New Zealand
- Proof you live in New Zealand
- Proof your dependent children older than 16 meet the English language requirement
Proof of Your Children’s Identity
You must provide the following as evidence of your children’s identity:
- Your child’s birth certificate. If you apply online, you need to provide your child’s full birth certificate or a certified copy if you apply on paper.
- Your child’s passport or certificate of identity. You must upload a copy of your child’s passport if you apply online. If you apply on paper, you must provide your child’s passport or a certified copy.
- Your child’s photo. If you apply, you must provide one photo or two photos if you apply on paper. The visa photos must meet the New Zealand photo requirements.
Proof of Your Children’s Good Character
If your children are 17 or older, they must submit a police certificate no older than six months. The police certificates must be from their country of citizenship or any other country where they have stayed for more than one year or in the last ten years.
Proof of Your Children’s Good Health
As evidence of your good health, your children must have a medical examination. Children 11 years or older must provide a chest x-ray as well.
Proof Your Children Are Financially Dependent
To apply for a Dependent Child Resident visa, your children must be single and financially dependent on you. Your children must sign a declaration they are single when they complete their application form. Immigration New Zealand considers your children dependent if they are:
- 17 or younger
- 18-24 with no children of their own
Note: Children who are living with a partner are not considered to be single.
Immigration New Zealand will check the following information to see if your children need financial support:
- whether they work and for how long
- whether they can support themselves
- whether they live with a family member
- whether they are studying
Proof You Are the Parent of Your Dependent Children
You must prove that you are the parent of your child by submitting:
- Full birth certificates
- Adoption papers
- Any document that proves your parent-child relationship
Proof You Have the Legal Right to Remove Dependent Children From Their Home Country
To apply for a Dependent Child Resident visa, you must have the right to remove children from their home country. You must provide documents that show that one of the following applies if you are divorced or separated:
- you have the exclusive right to decide where your children live
- you have the right to remove your children from their home country
- you have custody of the children and your children’s other parent agrees they can move to New Zealand if their application is approved
Proof You Are a Citizen or Resident of New Zealand
You must be a resident or citizen of New Zealand for your child to be able to apply for an NZ Child Resident visa. You must submit an original or certified copy of the following:
- New Zealand passport, birth certificate, or certificate of citizenship, or
- New Zealand Resident Visa, or
- Australian passport
Proof You Live in New Zealand
You must submit evidence that you live in New Zealand by submitting:
- letters addressed to you, including rates or utility bills
- employment records
- records of benefit payments from Work and Income, or tax payments from Inland Revenue
- mortgage or rental agreements
- documents showing your belongings have been moved to New Zealand
- any other documents that show you live in New Zealand
Proof Your Dependent Children Older than 16 Meet the English Language Requirements
Children that are 16 or older must meet an English language requirement to apply for a Dependent Child Resident visa if they were eligible to be included in your residence application under one of the following:
- the General Skills Category
- the Skilled Migrant Category
- the Business Immigration Instructions
- the Business Investor Category
As evidence that children aged 16 or older who were included in the categories above can speak English, they can include:
- an acceptable English language test result
- proof they have an English-speaking background
- proof they can speak English for other reasons
Note: Dependent children can also learn English in New Zealand, but you have to pay Immigration New Zealand for the English classes before they grant your children a visa.
How to Apply Online for an NZ Dependent Child Resident Visa?
Your children must follow the steps below to apply online for a Dependent Child Resident visa:
- Complete the online application. The children must complete the online Dependent Child Resident Visa If the child is 18 or older, they must also sign the application. They must attach two photos at the designated places with your full name written on the back of them.
- Upload the required documents. They must upload all the documents listed above to apply for a Dependent Child Resident visa. The documents must be in PDF format and be the size the application form requires.
- Pay the online application fee. The final requirement of the Child Resident visa application is to pay the application cost. Your child can pay by providing your bank card details in the form. They can pay with Visa or MasterCard.
- Submit the online application. After your child completes the online application, they can submit it and wait for a decision. When the visa application is processed, they will receive an email from Immigration New Zealand. Your child will be informed when their eVisa is issued.
How to Apply On Paper for a Dependent Child Resident Visa NZ?
Your children must follow the steps below to apply on paper for a Dependent Child Resident visa:
- Complete the Residence Application (INZ 1000). Your child must complete and print the Residence Application Form by providing the personal details required. They must attach two photos of themselves to the form that meet the NZ photo requirements. The form must be completed in English and in capital letters.
- Book an appointment to submit your application. Your child must schedule an appointment with VFS.GLOBAL to submit your visa application at an application center. Once you book your appointment, they will receive a confirmation email with a letter of appointment. The nearest visa application center may be in another country, not your child’s home country.
- Attend the appointment. When the child attends the appointment, they must:
- Submit the documents. They must submit the documents needed for a Dependent Child Resident visa application. They must make sure they don’t forget any documents, as their application can get declined.
- Pay the application fee. Your children must pay the application fee of NZD $3,610. They can pay with Visa or MasterCard.
What Are the Fees for an NZ Dependent Child Resident Visa?
Your children must pay the application fee of NZD $3,610 to apply for a Dependent Child Resident visa. This fee includes an immigration levy as well. If Immigration New Zealand declines your children’s visa application, you won’t be refunded.
What Is the Processing Time for a Dependent Child Resident Visa NZ?
The processing time for an NZ Dependent Child Resident visa is eight months. Most of the applications are completed within this timeframe.
How Long Can My Children Stay in New Zealand on an NZ Dependent Child Resident Visa?
Your children can stay indefinitely in New Zealand with an NZ Dependent Child Resident visa. You can spend time together with your children and enjoy New Zealand.
What Are the Conditions of a Dependent Child Resident Visa NZ?
Your children must meet the listed conditions of the Dependent Child Resident NZvisa:
- They must apply for entry permission when they enter New Zealand.
- If your resident visa is subject to section 49 conditions, your child’s visa will be subject to those same conditions.
- They can enter and leave New Zealand whenever they want until their travel conditions expire. After that, they need to apply for one of the following:
- a permanent resident visa
- a variation of conditions
- Your children can study in New Zealand.
- Your children can work in New Zealand if they’re old enough.
- If you want the child to travel, their visa must be in a valid passport. If their passport expires, they must transfer the visa to a new passport before they travel.
Can My Children Work on an NZ Dependent Child Resident Visa in New Zealand?
Your children can work on a Dependent Child Resident NZ visa in New Zealand if they are old enough.
Can My Children Study on a Dependent Child Resident Visa in New Zealand?
Your children can study in New Zealand while on a Dependent Child Resident NZ visa.