Working part-time if you are a dependent child waiting for a residence visa

You may be able to work part-time in New Zealand if you are a dependent child, and you:

• have, or meet the requirements to apply for, an eligible visitor visa
• meet our age requirements
• have applied for, or have been included in your parent's application for, an eligible residence visa. 

1. Your current visa

You must currently have, or meet the requirements to apply for:

• a Child of a Worker Visitor Visa, or
• a Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa.

Child of a Worker Visitor Visa

Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa

You may also be able to work part-time if:

• you currently have a Visitor Visa, for which you would need to get a variation of conditions allowing you to work, and
• you used to have a student visa or visitor visa as a dependent child.

Visitor Visa

2. Your age

You must be aged:

• 18 to 24, or
• 17 and have evidence that you have finished secondary school.

Evidence that you have finished secondary school can include:

• your graduation certificate
• your final school report, or
• a letter from your school, confirming that you have finished school.

3. Eligible residence visas

You must have applied for, or have been included in your parent's application for one of the following residence visas:

• Dependent Child Resident Visa
• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
• Straight to Residence Visa (based on a Green List role)
• Work to Residence Visa (based on a Green List role)
• Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
• Transport Sector Work to Residence Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Residence Visa

Green List roles — jobs we need people for in New Zealand

If you are eligible, you will be able to work up to:

• 20 hours a week between 1 February and 30 November, and
• full-time between 1 December and 31 January.

If you already have a visitor visa

You must apply for a variation of conditions of your visitor visa if:

• you already have a Child of a Worker Visitor Visa
• you already have a Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa, or
• you had one of these visas, or a Dependent Child Student Visa, but now have a Visitor Visa.

You cannot work until your application for a variation of conditions is accepted.

You can apply for a variation of conditions by using the paper variation of conditions form.

Check or change your visa conditions

If you have not applied for your visitor visa

If you have not applied for a Child of a Worker Visitor Visa or Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa, you can apply for the right to work when you complete your visa application.

Child of a Worker Visitor Visa

Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa

If you are planning to apply for a Visitor Visa, you cannot apply for the right to work as part of your application. You must apply for a variation of conditions after your Visitor Visa is granted.

Visitor Visa

Check or change your visitor visa conditions