V3.20 Dependent children of New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders

1. Dependent children of New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders may be granted a visitor visa authorising a maximum stay of 9 months from their date of arrival, provided that:
   1. the parent intends to stay in New Zealand during the same period of time applied for by the dependent child; and
   2. the parent supports the application.
2. If dependent children apply to stay longer than 9 months, immigration officers may consider granting further visas allowing a total stay of up to 2 years as long as the requirements of paragraph (a) above continue to be met.
3. Despite V3.20(a), where the applicant is subject to an overseas adoption order described in section 17(1) and 17(2) of the Adoption Act 1955, a visa cannot, as a result of the adoption, be granted under these instructions unless the adoption is from an ‘exempt country’ (see section 17(3)(b) and (4) of the Adoption Act 1955).

Notes:
- For the purposes of (c), an ‘exempt country’ is one that is listed at Schedule 1AAB of the Adoption Act 1955.
- Where (c) applies, there is no discretion available, either under the Adoption Act 1955, the Immigration Act 2009, or through an ‘exception to instructions’, to grant a visa under V3.20, though an immigration officer may consider granting a visa under other categories of temporary entry instructions.

V3.20.1 Evidence for dependent children of New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders

Immigration officers must sight evidence of the following:

1. the New Zealand citizenship or New Zealand residence status of the applicant's parent; and
2. documents that confirm the applicant's relationship with the parent (see E4.5.10); and
3. that the applicant and parent are intending to stay in New Zealand during the same period of time; and
4. that the New Zealand parent supports the application.

Effective 18/09/2025