Dependent children

If children are single, financially reliant and the right age, they can be included in their parent’s visa application. Or they may be able to apply for a visa based on their relationship to their parent, if their parent already has or is applying for a visa, or is a New Zealand citizen.

Dependent children may be included in your visa application, or apply for a visa based on their relationship to you as their parent.

We only consider children who are single to be dependent, but other rules apply too.

Different rules apply to who is considered a dependent child depending on whether you are applying for:

• a temporary visa, like a visitor or student visa
• a resident visa.

Dependent children aren’t eligible for work visas.

Resident visas

If your child is aged…	we’ll consider your child is dependent if they…
17 or under	are single
18 – 20	are single don’t have any children of their own
21 – 24	are single don’t have any children of their own rely on an adult for financial support

 

If your children don’t meet the criteria for dependent children, they may still be able to join you in New Zealand if each child applies for a visa in his or her own right.

Temporary visas

If your child is aged…	we’ll consider your child is dependent if they…
17 or younger	are single rely on you and/or your partner for financial support
18 or 19	are single don’t have any children of their own rely on you and/or your partner for financial support

 

Children aged 20 and over aren’t eligible to be included in their parents’ visitor visa applications or to apply for a visitor or student visa based on their relationship to their parents. But they still may be able to join you in New Zealand if each child applies for a visa in his or her own right.