Dependent Child Resident Visa NZ: How the Rules Work

The Dependent Child Resident Visa lets a New Zealand citizen or resident bring a single, dependent child aged 24 or younger to live in New Zealand. INZ showed NZD 3,230 and 80% of applications completed within 7 months on 9 October 2026; the child's resident visa carries the same section 49 conditions as the parent's.

A parent who is a New Zealand citizen or resident can apply for residence for a child who was not included in the parent's own residence application, or who has joined the family later. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) uses the Dependent Child Resident Visa for this. The rules turn on three things that are easy to get wrong: the child's age and whether INZ treats them as "dependent", the parent's legal right to take the child out of the home country, and whether the child could have been included in the parent's earlier residence application.

This guide explains those rules from INZ's visa page and fee finder, read on 9 October 2026. It does not say whether any child is dependent for INZ's purposes, whether custody evidence is enough, or whether a visa will be granted. Applying the rules to a family's facts is immigration advice, and in New Zealand only a licensed immigration adviser or a lawyer can give it.

What the visa is

INZ's summary describes the visa as one to "bring your dependent children to live with you in New Zealand", for a parent who is a New Zealand citizen or resident. Its headline terms on 9 October 2026 were:

length of stay: live, work and study indefinitely;
cost: from NZD 3,230;
processing time: 80% within 7 months;
age range: 24 years or younger.

The visa lets the child live in New Zealand, and study and work if old enough. It is a resident visa for the child, not a visitor or student visa. INZ notes that some children of New Zealand citizens or residents are already New Zealand citizens by birth, descent or grant, and that a child who is a citizen does not need to apply for residence. It points readers to the Department of Internal Affairs for the types of citizenship.

There are two exclusions on the page. A child who was eligible for residence under the Family Quota, the Refugee Family Support Category, the Samoa Quota Scheme or the Pacific Access Category but was not included in the parent's residence application is not eligible for this visa. A child who was eligible under any other category but was not included may be eligible, and INZ says: "we may ask you why they were not included in your residence application." The page gives no list of acceptable reasons, so that question is one for a licensed adviser.

What INZ means by a dependent child

The word "dependent" has a set meaning in INZ's rules, and age changes what has to be shown. INZ will consider a child dependent if the child:

is aged 17 or younger;
has no children of their own, if aged 18 to 24;
is financially dependent, if aged 21 to 24, meaning they rely on an adult (their parent or another family member) for financial support; and
is single. INZ says a child living with a partner is not considered single, "even if they have been living with their partner for less than a year".

At application, the child signs a declaration that they are single. INZ uses the identity documents supplied to confirm the child's age.

For the 21 to 24 group, INZ lists what it looks at when deciding whether the child is financially dependent: whether they are working, whether the work is full-time or part-time and how long they have worked; whether they are able to support themselves; whether they live with a family member and how much support that person provides; and whether they are studying, full-time or part-time. INZ may ask for proof of financial dependence. The page does not set an income figure or a weighting between these factors, so it does not say how many of them a child must meet. That is an assessment INZ makes on the whole picture.

INZ also notes that an adopted child can only be the basis for a visa if the adoption is recognised under New Zealand law, and it points to a separate page on supporting a visa for an adopted child, with examples of acceptable evidence. For customary adoptions INZ asks for a written declaration of the adoption, its date and the country, and it may ask the child's biological parents to confirm.

What the parent must show

The parent must be a New Zealand citizen or resident, must live in New Zealand, and must be the child's parent. INZ lists acceptable proof of status: a New Zealand passport, New Zealand birth certificate, certificate of New Zealand citizenship, or New Zealand resident visa. A parent who holds residence because they are an Australian citizen or permanent resident can provide an Australian passport, Permanent Resident Visa or Resident Return Visa instead.

On place of residence, INZ says New Zealand must be the parent's main place of residence, and lists the kinds of documents that can show it: letters or bills addressed to the parent, employment records, Work and Income or Inland Revenue records, mortgage, tenancy or utility agreements, and invoices or receipts showing household effects have moved to New Zealand. INZ adds a tip that New Zealand does not need to be the primary place of residence for a parent who holds an Active Investor Plus Visa and is supporting a visa for their child.

The parent must also show a legal relationship to the child. INZ lists documents such as a birth certificate, adoption papers and household registration documents, and says any other documents that confirm the relationship can be provided. If the parent held a resident visa and could have included the child in that application but did not, INZ may ask for an explanation.

Custody and the right to remove the child

The parent must have "the legal right to remove your child from their home country". INZ sets out what it looks for with children aged 15 or younger. Where parents are separated or divorced, the parent must provide legal documents showing one of the following: sole right to decide where the child lives; the right to take the child out of their home country; or custody of the child with the child's other parent agreeing that the child can move to New Zealand if the child gets a resident visa. If the other parent has died, a death certificate is needed. For paper applications, originals or certified copies are required.

INZ adds that where a parent has a statutory right to custody and it is not possible to obtain legal documents to confirm it, INZ "will assess your right to remove the child on a case-by-case basis". The page does not describe how that assessment is made. Custody orders differ between countries, and whether a particular order meets INZ's wording is a legal question for a licensed adviser or lawyer.

Health, character and English

Health. The child must be in good health and must have a medical examination. If the child is 11 or older, a chest X-ray is needed as well. INZ says children under 11 and pregnant women do not need a chest X-ray unless a special report is needed. The evidence must be less than 3 months old when INZ receives it.

Character. A child aged 17 or older must supply police certificates less than 6 months old. They must come from countries where the child is a citizen, and from countries where the child has spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years, even if those months were not all in one stay. INZ says the certificates must show any criminal records at any time in those countries, not just in the last 10 years. Certificates issued in the last 24 months and provided with an earlier application do not need to be provided again, though INZ can ask for a new one. A criminal conviction or security risk may mean the visa is not granted.

English. This applies in one case. A dependent child aged 16 or older must speak English, or pay for English classes in New Zealand, if the child was eligible to be included in the parent's residence application under the General Skills Category, the Skilled Migrant Category, the Business Immigration Instructions or the Business Investor Category. INZ lists three ways to show English: through citizenship, where the child studied and the qualifications gained; through an English language test result, which must meet the minimum score and be no more than 2 years old when the parent applies; or by paying for English language lessons. A child who was not eligible to be included in the parent's application, or who is 15 or younger, does not have to meet the English requirement.

Fee, timing and how to apply

INZ's fee finder, queried on 9 October 2026 for Indian, UK and Philippines passport holders applying from their own countries and for an Indian passport holder resident in New Zealand, showed NZD 3,230 for both online and paper applications, and 80% of applications completed within 7 months. INZ states that the cost is a processing charge that is not refunded if the application is declined and that a non-refundable immigration levy is included. Online payment is by Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay. As always, fees can vary by passport and country, so the finder should be checked for the actual applicant.

The online route has four steps in INZ's description: gather documents, submit the application and pay the fee, wait for the decision, and check the application status. The paper route uses the Residence Application form (INZ 1000) and INZ's Residence Guide (INZ 1002). INZ's list of documents covers the child's passport and photo, medical and X-ray evidence, police certificates if required, proof of the parent's status and of living in New Zealand, documents showing the relationship and the child's financial dependence, custody documents if required, English evidence, and translations. Documents not in English must be translated; for online applications INZ requires certified English translations and scanned copies of originals.

If the child is already in New Zealand, INZ says they must hold a valid visa. If that visa may expire while the resident visa application is being processed, the child should apply for another temporary visa, and INZ says it can give an Interim Visa if the current visa expires during processing.

After the visa: conditions, travel and what comes next

The child has 12 months from the date the visa is given to come to New Zealand. The visa is valid from the date the child enters New Zealand (if they were outside the country when it was approved) or from the date it was given (if they were already inside).

INZ says the child's resident visa is subject to the same section 49 conditions as the parent's, if the parent has any. If the parent does not comply with the conditions of their visa, INZ warns, "you and your dependent child may have to leave New Zealand".

The child can travel in and out of New Zealand until the travel conditions on the visa expire, which is 2 years from the date they first arrive as a resident, or from the date the visa was given if they were already in New Zealand. A parent with an Active Investor Plus Visa passes on the same travel conditions as their own, which can last longer than 2 years. INZ warns that if the child is outside New Zealand when travel conditions expire, the visa expires as well. To travel after that the child must get a Permanent Resident Visa or extend the travel conditions.

The child may work in any job for any employer if old enough, and may study anywhere in New Zealand for any length of time. After holding a Dependent Child Resident Visa for 2 years in a row, the child can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa; the rules for that visa are in a separate guide. INZ also notes that for most people, after five years of living in New Zealand as a resident, citizenship may be possible without holding a Permanent Resident Visa first, with requirements set by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Finding a licensed immigration adviser

Migratio lists licensed immigration advisers so you can compare them and contact one directly. Every listing shows the adviser's licence number, which you can check on the Immigration Advisers Authority's public register before you book. We don't assess cases and don't tell anyone which visa or pathway fits them; that is the adviser's job.

Questions people ask

What age can a dependent child be for the NZ Dependent Child Resident Visa?

INZ says 24 or younger. A child aged 17 or younger is considered dependent; a child aged 18 to 24 must have no children of their own, and a child aged 21 to 24 must also be financially dependent on an adult. The child must also be single.

How much does the Dependent Child Resident Visa cost?

INZ's fee finder showed NZD 3,230 on 9 October 2026, with a non-refundable immigration levy included. INZ does not refund the cost if the application is declined.

How long does the Dependent Child Resident Visa take?

INZ showed 80% of applications completed within 7 months on 9 October 2026. The figure changes, so check INZ's fee finder on the day of filing.

Does a dependent child have to take an English test?

Only in one case. INZ requires a child aged 16 or older to show English, or pay for English classes, if the child was eligible to be included in the parent's residence application under the General Skills Category, Skilled Migrant Category, Business Immigration Instructions or Business Investor Category. Children aged 15 or younger are not required to.

Can a child apply if they were left out of the parent's earlier residence application?

INZ says a child who was eligible under the Family Quota, Refugee Family Support Category, Samoa Quota Scheme or Pacific Access Category and was not included is not eligible. A child eligible under any other category may be, and INZ may ask why they were not included.

Can the parent be living outside New Zealand?

INZ says the parent must be a citizen or resident and live in New Zealand, and that New Zealand must be the parent's main place of residence. It notes an exception for a parent with an Active Investor Plus Visa who is supporting a visa for their child.

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-09.

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