Living far from your child as you work or study in New Zealand can be tough when you move abroad. The good news? New Zealand immigration understands the emotional need to keep families together. This is where the Dependent Child Visitor Visa comes in — it gives families a chance to reunite even when the parent has a temporary visa like one for work or study.
This visa lets kids join their parents in New Zealand for a short time and stay with them while their parents visa is valid. It’s perfect for people working on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), Essential Skills Work Visa, or international students who’ve left their kids back home. This guide breaks down all you need to know about the visa, who can get it, how it’s processed, and how Ezy Immigration can lend a hand.
What Is the Dependent Child Visitor Visa?
The Dependent Child Visitor Visa gives kids of work or student visa holders in New Zealand a chance to come and stay with their parents while they’re in the country. This visa doesn’t let the child work or study for a long time, but it does allow them to go to school for up to three months and remain as long as their parent’s visa lasts.
This visa comes in handy for foreign workers and international students whose jobs or courses take several months or even years, and who want to have their children with them during that time.
Don’t mix up this visa with the Dependent Child Student Visa or Resident Visa. These offer different rights and paths. Here, we’re talking about bringing families together for a short time — keeping parents and kids close while mom or dad works or learns.
Who Can Get This Visa?
To qualify, the kid and the parent both need to meet some rules.
The parent must:
- Have a valid short-term visa, like a work visa (such as AEWV) or student visa.
- Be able to pay for the child’s stay.
- Have good housing set up for the child.
The child must:
- Be younger than 20.
- Be unmarried and rely on the parent for money.
- Plan to stay for a short time.
- Be healthy and well-behaved. You might need doctor’s notes and police reports if you’re staying a while.
When both parents live in New Zealand, getting a visa is easier. If one parent is there, you may need to get permission from the other parent (or show guardianship papers).
How Long Can My Kid Stay in New Zealand?
A child with a Dependent Child Visitor Visa can stay for the duration of their parent’s valid visa. This means a child might get a visitor visa for two years if you have a two-year work visa.
You can also ask to extend the visa if yours gets renewed so your family can stay together while you’re in New Zealand.
Can My Child Go to School on This Visa?
This visa lets children study at a primary or secondary school in New Zealand for up to three months in a 12-month period. If you want them to study longer, you’ll need to apply for a Dependent Child Student Visa instead.
For kids who haven’t started school yet, like toddlers and pre-schoolers, this visa works great. It’s also good for short stays before switching to a student visa.
What Documents Are Needed?
To apply for the Dependent Child Visitor Visa, you need to get ready:
- A passport that hasn’t expired for your child
- Birth certificate that shows how the child and parent are related
- Proof that the parent has a valid visa and can stay in New Zealand
- Medical and chest X-ray certificates (if they’re needed)
- Something that shows the parent can afford to support the child
- A letter from the parent or legal guardian saying they support the application
In some cases, consent from the other parent or court orders may be necessary if one parent stays overseas.
How Much Does It Cost?
As of 2025, the application fee for this visa begins at NZD $211, plus any extra charges for medical checks or document verification. Processing times differ but take between 30–45 days, based on how complex the case is.
Working with a licensed immigration adviser like Ezy Immigration can cut down on delays and boost the odds of a successful application.
Can the Visa Be Extended or Switched to Another Category?
Sure, you can extend your stay if your parents get their visa renewed. This visa can help you move toward a Dependent Child Student Visa or a path to residency if you want to stay longer or move . But remember, your parents need to get a resident visa first.
Check out more info about Partner and Child Visa Options in New Zealand on our main service page.
Why Families Choose Ezy Immigration
At Ezy Immigration, we know how hard it is to live far from your child. We’ve aided countless families to get Dependent Child Visitor Visas and handle the tricky parts of New Zealand immigration rules. Our staff can walk you through each step — from checking if you qualify to getting your papers ready and talking to Immigration New Zealand.
Check out our Temporary Visa Services page to see how we can help bring your family back together.
Your Child Can Come to New Zealand to Be with You
If you work or study in New Zealand and miss your child, you’re not the only one. The Dependent Child Visitor Visa exists for this exact purpose — to keep families close even when you’re on a short-term visa.
Whether you want a quick reunion or plan to check out long-term options, this visa serves as a great starting point. At Ezy Immigration, we focus on bringing families like yours back together.
If you’re keen to reunite with your kid in New Zealand, or need guidance on how to plan your family’s move, contact Ezy Immigration today. We’re here to make the process easier, quicker, and less stressful for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Dependent Child Visitor Visa lets children of work visa holders join them for a short time.
They can stay as long as your visa stays valid, if immigration approves.
Children under 5 years old can attend kindergarten or Early Childhood centres. Children above 5 years can study in a School for up to 3 months in a 12-month period. To study longer, they need to apply for a Student Visa.
Yes. It works well for toddlers and pre-schoolers who aren’t old enough for school yet.
Yes, but it’s often better to wait until the parent has their visa and has arrived in NZ.
This visa doesn’t result in residency, but it can be the first step to longer-term family migration if the parent becomes a resident.
You might need a letter of consent from the other parent or proof of guardianship to back up the application.
