Child of a Student Visitor Visa
New Zealand is a popular destination for international students seeking quality education and new opportunities.
However, for parents planning to study in New Zealand, an important consideration is whether their dependent children can accompany them.
The Child of a Student Visitor Visa allows eligible dependent children to live in New Zealand temporarily while their parent holds an appropriate student visa. This provides an opportunity for families to remain together during the parent’s studies, although there are important eligibility requirements and restrictions.
What is a Child of a Student Visitor Visa?
The Child of a Student Visitor Visa is a temporary visa designed for dependent children of people who hold, or are applying for, a New Zealand student visa.
It allows a child to accompany their parent to New Zealand for the duration of the parent’s student visa, subject to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) requirements.
The visa is particularly relevant to international students who wish to bring their children to New Zealand but whose circumstances do not qualify their children for a dependent child student visa.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for this visa, the child must generally be aged 19 years or younger, financially dependent on their parent, single and without children of their own.
The supporting parent must hold or be applying for an eligible New Zealand student visa. The child must also meet applicable health and character requirements and satisfy INZ that they are a genuine visitor who intends to comply with their visa conditions.
The child must also meet the applicable requirements concerning their relationship with the supporting parent and any necessary parental consent or custody arrangements.
How Long Can the Child Stay in New Zealand?
The duration of the Child of a Student Visitor Visa is generally linked to the supporting parent’s student visa.
For example, if a parent is granted a student visa for a two-year course, their child may be eligible for a visitor visa allowing them to remain in New Zealand for the corresponding period.
However, the visa’s actual expiry date is determined by INZ, and the child’s permission to remain in New Zealand is not automatically extended if the parent subsequently receives another visa.
A further visa application may be necessary.
Can the Child Attend School in New Zealand?
One of the most important restrictions concerns education.
A child holding a Child of a Student Visitor Visa can generally study in New Zealand for up to three months in any calendar year.
If the child wishes to attend primary or secondary school for longer than three months, they will normally need an appropriate student visa.
Parents should also understand that their own student visa does not automatically entitle their children to attend New Zealand schools as domestic students.
Depending on the parent’s course of study and immigration status, a child may qualify for a Dependent Child Student Visa. Otherwise, an international student visa and international tuition fees may be required.
This distinction is particularly important for families with school-aged children.
Financial Requirements
Immigration New Zealand must be satisfied that the child will have sufficient financial support during their stay.
Generally, applicants must demonstrate that at least NZ$1,000 per month is available for the child’s living expenses, or NZ$400 per month if accommodation has already been paid for. Different arrangements may apply where acceptable sponsorship or an exemption is available.
The family must also have sufficient funds or acceptable arrangements for the child’s departure from New Zealand.
The parent should consider whether their financial resources are sufficient to support both their own studies and their child’s living costs.
Health and Character Requirements
Children applying for this visa must meet the applicable health and character requirements.
Depending on the child’s age, nationality, intended duration of stay and immigration history, INZ may require medical information or examinations.
Police certificates are not ordinarily required for young children, although character requirements may become relevant for older applicants.
Parental Consent and Custody
Where a child is travelling to New Zealand with only one parent, Immigration New Zealand may require evidence that the parent has the legal authority to take the child overseas.
This can be particularly important where the child’s parents are separated or divorced, or where one parent will remain in their home country.
Depending on the circumstances, written consent from the other parent, custody documents or other evidence of legal guardianship may be necessary.
These issues should be addressed before the visa application is submitted to avoid delays or complications.
Can the Child Work in New Zealand?
A Child of a Student Visitor Visa does not ordinarily permit employment in New Zealand.
The visa is intended to allow the child to accompany their parent temporarily, rather than undertake employment.
If an older child wishes to work, they would need to qualify for an appropriate visa permitting employment.
What Happens When the Parent Finishes Studying?
When the supporting parent completes their studies, their immigration circumstances may change.
For example, the parent may become eligible for a Post Study Work Visa or another type of temporary visa.
Depending on the parent’s new immigration status, the child may qualify for a different visa or may need to apply for a further visitor visa.
Families should consider these possibilities well before the parent’s student visa expires.
When Can an Application Be Made?
A parent does not necessarily need to wait until their own student visa has been approved before applying for their child’s visitor visa.
An application for a Child of a Student Visitor Visa can generally be submitted at the same time as the parent’s student visa application.
However, the child’s eligibility depends on the supporting parent’s immigration status, and INZ will need to be satisfied that the relevant requirements are met before granting the child’s visa.
Planning Ahead Is Important
For international students with children, choosing the correct visa involves more than simply establishing the parent-child relationship.
The child’s age, schooling needs, financial dependence, custody arrangements and the parent’s proposed course of study can all affect the options available.
In particular, parents intending to bring school-aged children should investigate whether their children will be eligible to attend school in New Zealand and whether international tuition fees will apply.
Early planning can help avoid unexpected costs, interruptions to schooling and immigration difficulties.
Seeking Immigration Advice
New Zealand’s immigration rules distinguish between children who accompany international students as visitors and those who qualify for student visas in their own right.
Understanding these differences is essential when planning to study in New Zealand with dependent children.
A New Zealand immigration lawyer can assess the family’s circumstances, identify the appropriate visa pathway and assist with preparing an application that addresses Immigration New Zealand’s requirements.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration requirements may change, and individual circumstances should be assessed against the applicable immigration instructions.