You need to meet a number of requirements to have your residence application approved under the Family Category (Dependent Child Policy).
First things first…
Your parent(s) must be lawfully and permanently in New Zealand.
You must
- be aged 16 years or younger and single
or
- be aged between 17 and 24 years, single, and have no children of your own.
And
- be born or adopted before your parents applied for residence, and have been declared on your parents’ application for residence
or
- be born after your parents applied for residence
or
- be adopted by your parents as a result of a New Zealand adoption or an overseas adoption recognised under New Zealand law.
And
- be in good health
- be of good character
- be totally or substantially dependent on an adult for financial support (whether or not that adult is your parent, and whether or not you are living with that adult)
And you must supply
You may be asked for evidence of financial dependence
If you are aged 17 to 24 years you may be asked to provide evidence that you are dependent on an adult for financial support.
If you are aged 16 years or younger, not married, in a civil union or in a de facto relationship, and do not have any children of your own, you are presumed to be dependent on an adult for financial support and will not be asked for evidence.
Custody and Visitation Rights
If you are under 16 years of age and you have a parent living outside New Zealand, your parent in New Zealand must provide evidence that custody or visitation rights of the parent living outside New Zealand would not be breached by you coming to live in New Zealand.
Want to see the wording of the policy?
Take a short cut
Use our quick check and our examples to find out if you are likely to be approved residence.
If you’re approved, we’ll issue you with a residence visa and permit enabling you to live in New Zealand indefinitely.
If you’re unable to meet our requirements, we’ll not grant you residence.
Think you meet these requirements? You can apply under our Family Category (Dependent Child Policy). How do I go about it?