Immigration New Zealand allows parents or guardians to live with and care for their child while they study in New Zealand. The child must be 17 years of age or younger, or enrolled in school years 1 to 13, and must be the holder of a current student visa.

By 'guardian' we mean the person who has the legal right and responsibility to provide for the care (including education and health) of an international student. This includes the student's biological or adoptive parents, testamentary guardian, or court-appointed guardian. A guardian is the person who provides for the care of the student in the student's home country.

Important points include:

• the usual visitor visa requirements apply, including health and character requirements
• guardian visa holders are not entitled to publicly subsidised services, including healthcare
• only one guardian visa will be granted per family, for up to a year
• a parent or guardian can be granted further 12-month visitor visas to allow them to stay for the duration of the student's course or until the student turns 19 years of age
• if the guardian is granted a visa under these instructions in order for them to care for a student aged 13 years or younger, they must live with that student while in New Zealand. They may become liable for deportation if they fail to live with the student
• in the case of an emergency arising which requires the legal guardian to temporarily depart New Zealand, the student may apply for a variation of conditions to their student visa
• guardian visa holders are not eligible for student visas or work visas under Essential Skills Work or Specific Purpose or Event Instructions.