Dependent children of Religious Worker work visa holders may be granted a student visa or visitor visa if the combined income of their parents meets or is greater than the minimum income threshold, or if the organisation sponsoring their parent’s Religious Worker work visa agrees to also sponsor the dependent children.
A minimum income threshold ensures a basic standard of living for temporary migrant families while they are in New Zealand. Temporary migrants are not eligible for government benefits, unlike residents who are eligible for standard benefits after two years.
The threshold has been calculated using the Unemployment Benefit, maximum Accommodation Supplement and family tax credit rate.
The minimum income threshold is NZ$35,019.
The minimum income threshold is based on the combined salary or wages of the Religious Worker work visa holder and their partner. Evidence of salary or wages will need to be provided to confirm that the minimum income threshold has been met in order for the student visa or visitor visa application to be granted.
The dependent child or children must be included in a Sponsorship Form for Religious Workers (INZ 1190) PDF [234KB]. This ensures the religious organisation sponsoring the parent’s Religious Worker visa to work in New Zealand also undertakes to ensure the maintenance, accommodation and repatriation requirements of any dependent children are met for the duration of their parent’s work visa.
No.
Anyone who:
Yes, the minimum income requirement will not need to be met if the child is only visiting the parent(s). However, if the child was to stay for the duration of the Religious Worker work visa held by their parent or to apply to study in New Zealand they would need to show that their parent(s) meets the minimum income threshold, or the organisation sponsoring their parent’s Religious Worker work visa agrees to sponsor their visa application.
