F5.1 How do dependent children qualify for residence?

1. Principal applicants meet dependent child policy if:
   1. they are:
      • aged 17 to 24, with no child(ren) of their own, and
      • single, and
      • totally or substantially reliant on an adult (whether their parent or not) for financial support, whether they live with them or not, and
      • their parent(s) are lawfully and permanently in New Zealand; or
   2. they are
      • aged 16 or younger, and
      • single, and
      • totally or substantially reliant on an adult (whether their parent or not) for financial support, whether they live with them or not, and
      • their parent(s) are lawfully and permanently in New Zealand.
2. Principal applicants under dependent child policy must also:
   1. have been born to, or adopted by (see R3), their parent(s) before their parent(s) made their own application for residence, and have been declared as dependent children on their parent(s)' application for residence; or
   2. have been born to their parent(s) after their parents made their own application for residence; or
   3. have been adopted by (see R3) their parent(s) after their parent(s) made their own application for residence, by a New Zealand adoption order made under the Adoption Act 1955, or an overseas adoption order which, under section 17 of the Adoption Act 1955, has the same effect as a New Zealand adoption order.

      Note: In the event that the principal applicant was born to, or adopted by their parent(s) before their parent(s) made their own application for residence, but that principal applicant was not declared as a dependent child on their parent(s)' application for residence, section R5.15 will apply.

3. When determining whether a child of 17 to 24 years of age is totally or substantially reliant on an adult (whether their parent or not) for financial support, visa and immigration officers must consider the whole application, taking into account all relevant factors including:
   • whether the child is in paid employment, whether this is full time or part time, and its duration;
   • whether the child has any other independent means of financial support;
   • whether the child is living with its parents or another family member, and the extent to which other support is provided;
   • whether the child is studying, and whether this is full time or part time.
4. Principal applicants under dependent child policy must meet health and character requirements policy (see A4 and A5).

Effective 30/06/2003