Dependent Child Visa NZ
25/09/2026
Visa Experts For New Zealand And Australia
If you hold an eligible New Zealand work visa, your dependent children aged 19 and under can join you on a visitor visa for the same length of time as your work visa. Immigration New Zealand calls it the Child of a Worker Visitor Visa. Your child can live with you, attend early childhood education, and go to school for up to 3 months. Not every work visa can support it.
Working in New Zealand while your children are overseas is hard. For many working parents, this visa is the simplest way to keep the family together while you build your career here.
This guide is written for work visa holders. It covers whether your visa qualifies, what your child can do while they are here, what to prepare, and how to keep their visa valid as your own visa changes. If you’re still deciding whether your child needs a visitor visa or a student visa, start with our dependent child visa New Zealand guide, which compares both options side by side.
This is the visitor visa for dependent children of people working in New Zealand on a temporary work visa. On our service pages we call it the Dependent Child Visitor Visa. It is one of several New Zealand temporary visas that allow families to stay together while a parent works here.
Your child can’t be included in your work visa application. They need their own visa, supported by you as the working parent.
This is the first thing to check, because it’s the most common reason these applications fail.
If you’re unsure where your visa sits, check before you lodge anything. An application supported by an ineligible visa will be declined, and the fee isn’t refunded.
On this visa, your child can:
Your child can’t:
Your child must be dependent on you. Children aged 17 and under are treated as dependent automatically. For 18 and 19-year-olds, they must have no children of their own and rely on you financially, and INZ may ask for evidence of that support.
You must be able to support them. This means covering their living costs while they are here, and having the means for them to leave New Zealand when your visa ends.
Your child must meet health and character requirements. Medical certificates and police certificates may be needed, depending on your child’s age and how long they are staying.
Both parents need to agree. If your child is travelling with only one parent, or the other parent stays overseas, you will usually need the other parent’s written consent or custody or guardianship documents.
Because your child’s visa depends on yours, changes to your work situation affect them too.
If your partner is coming as well, they need their own visa. Depending on your situation, that may be a Partner of a Worker Work Visa or a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa. Planning the whole family’s visas together keeps everyone’s dates aligned.
This visa doesn’t lead to residence on its own. Many working families use it while they move toward residence through a residence pathway, such as the Work to Residence pathway. Your dependent children can usually be included in your residence application when the time comes.
Our licensed immigration advisers work with families on employer-supported visas every week. We can:
Book a free visa assessment or contact our team to get started.
Not on this visa. Your child’s application can be lodged with yours, but it is only granted once your own work visa is approved.
No. AEWV holders must meet conditions linked to their role before they can support family visas. Check your eligibility before applying.
Yes, if they are 19 or under, have no children of their own and rely on you financially. INZ may ask for evidence of your financial support for 18 and 19-year-olds.
Your child’s visa is tied to yours. If your new job requires a new work visa, check that it still lets you support your child, and update their visa where needed.
Only if their visa has multiple-entry travel conditions. A single-entry visa expires when your child leaves the country.
No, as a general rule. The exception is where your family is waiting on a residence decision that includes your child, in which case they may be able to apply to vary their conditions to allow part-time work.
Not directly. It keeps your family together while you work, and your children can usually be included if you later apply for residence.
New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser and Australia Registered Migration Agents
Eddie Dhiman is a dual-licensed immigration adviser (IAA NZ) and registered migration agent (MARA Australia). As an immigrant himself, he leverages first-hand personal insight and regulatory expertise to guide clients seamlessly through their migration journey.
Parent migration rules in both New Zealand and Australia are strict and complex. Mistakes often lead to costly delays or rejections. Ensure your application is faultless and meets all criteria before submission.
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