Coordinating a move abroad with school-age children brings a stack of paperwork that can feel overwhelming. This guide compares the dependent child student visa routes in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, with official fees and processing times straight from government sources.
New Zealand fee: NZD $750 ·
NZ processing (80%): 8 weeks ·
UK fee per child: £490 ·
Ireland age limit: Under 18
Quick snapshot
- New Zealand Dependent Child Student Visa costs from NZD $750 (Immigration New Zealand (official visa guidance))
- 80% of NZ Dependent Child Student Visa applications processed within eight weeks (Immigration New Zealand (official visa guidance)) (Immigration New Zealand (official visa guidance))
- UK Student-route dependants pay £490 per child (GOV.UK (UK government guidance))
- Ireland’s exact processing times for child dependent visas are not published on official sites
- Which countries allow dependents may shift with 2026 immigration policy updates
- Plan NZ applications around peak seasons: November-March and June-August (Immigration New Zealand (official guidance))
- Immigration NZ recommends applying at least three months before travel (Immigration New Zealand (official guidance)) (Immigration New Zealand (official guidance))
- Confirm your child’s age and your visa category first — this determines eligibility
- Gather proof of relationship, funds, accommodation, and health cover before you start
The table below compares the three countries across fees, processing times, and age limits.
| Field | New Zealand | United Kingdom | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | NZD $750 (from) | £490 per child | €100 (approx) |
| Processing time | 80% within 8 weeks | Usually 8 weeks | 6-12 weeks |
| Age limit for dependent child | Under 20 (if financially dependent) | Under 18 | Under 18 |
| Application route | Form INZ 1225 / online | Online via GOV.UK | Via Immigration Service Delivery |
| School level covered | Primary and secondary | Primary and secondary | Primary and secondary |
| Parental visa requirement | Valid work or student visa | Student-route visa | Student visa (full-time, 1 year+) |
Three countries, one pattern: the child’s visa is tied to the parent’s status, not to the child’s academic record. What shifts between them is the age cut-off, the fee, and how strictly the system defines “dependent.”
Does Ireland allow dependants on a student visa?
Ireland allows dependants on a student visa, but with strict conditions. The student must be enrolled in a full-time course of at least one year leading to a qualification. Children under 18 who are unmarried fall within the dependent child definition.
Who is considered a dependent child in Ireland?
- Under 18 and unmarried
- Financially dependent on the student parent
- Included in the parent’s immigration permission
How to apply for a child dependent visa in Ireland
- Submit the application through the Irish Immigration Service Delivery
- Provide proof of the parent’s student status and course details
- Include the child’s birth certificate and proof of financial support
Ireland’s official processing times for child dependent visas are not published, so the 6-12 weeks commonly cited comes from anecdotal reports, not from government sources.
The implication: Ireland’s system favours the student parent’s stability. If your course is shorter than a year or part-time, the dependent route closes entirely.
Can I bring dependents on a student visa to the United Kingdom?
The UK allows Student-route visa holders to bring dependent children, but only in specific circumstances. The policy tightened in 2024, restricting the route to government-sponsored researchers and those pursuing a PhD or doctorate.
UK student visa dependent child application steps
- Check your eligibility: you must be a government-sponsored researcher or doctoral student
- Apply online via GOV.UK (UK government guidance)
- Pay the £490 per child visa fee
- Pay the healthcare surcharge per child
- Submit proof of relationship and financial support
UK Child Student Visa requirements
- Child must be under 18
- Separate application and separate visa fee for each dependent
- Parent must hold a valid Student-route visa
What this means: if you are a master’s student in the UK, the dependent route is now largely closed. The £490 per child fee is just the start — the healthcare surcharge adds a significant per-child cost.
How do I apply for a Dependent Child Student visa in New Zealand?
New Zealand’s Dependent Child Student Visa is specifically for children of eligible student or work visa holders who want to attend primary or secondary school. The system is more generous than the UK’s, but it has its own rules around age and guardianship.
Dependent child student visa NZ requirements
- Parent must hold an appropriate work or student visa
- Child must be a dependent — under 20 and financially dependent
- If the child is under 10 and not in an approved school hostel, a parent or legal guardian must live with them (Immigration New Zealand (official visa guidance))
- The guardian must show legal right to care for the child, including education and health
Dependent child student visa NZ fee and processing time
- Fee: NZD $750 (from) (Immigration New Zealand (official visa guidance))
- Processing: 80% within eight weeks (Immigration New Zealand (official visa guidance))
- Apply at least three months before travel (Immigration New Zealand (official guidance))
Dependent child student visa NZ form
- Form INZ 1225 for paper applications
- Online application through the Immigration NZ portal
“Apply for this visa to bring your dependent children to study at primary or secondary school in New Zealand.”
— Immigration New Zealand (official visa guidance)
New Zealand’s definition of dependent — under 20 and financially dependent — gives families more breathing room than the UK’s under-18 cut-off, but tertiary-level study pushes the child onto a different (and more expensive) visa.
The pattern: New Zealand’s system is built on the assumption that the family unit moves together. The visa exists specifically to keep children in schools while parents study or work — but only at primary or secondary level.
For parents moving to New Zealand, the dependent child student visa offers a predictable process with a published fee of NZD $750 and an eight-week processing time, making it the most transparent option among the three countries.
Which countries allow dependents on a Student visa?
Beyond New Zealand, the UK, and Ireland, several countries permit dependent children on student visas. The list shifts with policy updates, so verify current rules before planning.
Which country is best for dependent visa?
- New Zealand: generous age limit (under 20), clear processing times, cheaper fee
- UK: restricted to doctoral or government-sponsored students only
- Ireland: open to full-time students, but published processing times are missing
- Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, France, Netherlands also allow dependents in certain categories
Which country is free for students? (tuition-free countries)
- Germany, Norway, and Finland offer tuition-free study at public universities
- Some of these allow dependents to accompany the student
The trade-off: a tuition-free country may save on fees, but if its dependent visa rules are stricter or its housing market is tighter, the total family cost could climb. New Zealand’s NZD $750 fee and eight-week processing give it a clear edge on predictability.
How much is a Student visa with dependents?
The per-child cost varies sharply by country. New Zealand charges NZD $750; the UK charges £490 per child plus the healthcare surcharge; Ireland’s fee sits around €100.
Cost of dependent child student visa NZ
- NZD $750 (from) (Immigration New Zealand (official visa guidance))
UK student visa dependent child fee
- £490 per child (GOV.UK (UK government guidance))
- Plus healthcare surcharge per child
Ireland child dependent visa fee
- €100 (approximate, confirm with current government schedule)
The implication: the UK’s headline fee is not the real cost — the healthcare surcharge turns a £490 visa into a much larger per-year expense. Ireland looks cheapest on paper, but the missing processing-time data makes planning harder.
Dependent Child Student visa requirements: what documents do I need?
Across all three countries, the document list follows the same skeleton. Getting these right before you apply saves weeks of back-and-forth.
Proof of relationship
- Child’s valid passport
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable, for the student parent)
Financial support evidence
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the child’s stay
- Bank statements or sponsorship letters
Accommodation and health insurance
- Accommodation letter or tenancy agreement
- Health insurance coverage for the child
- Consent letter from the non-applying parent
“You must apply for your child’s dependant visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.”
— GOV.UK (UK government guidance)
The consent letter from the non-applying parent is a frequent stumbling block. Immigration New Zealand requires evidence that the guardian has legal authority to care for the child, including in matters of education and health (Immigration New Zealand (official visa guidance)).
Why this matters: a missing consent letter or an unclear financial trail is the most common reason applications stall. The pattern across all three countries is that the burden of proof sits on the parent to demonstrate the child’s dependency clearly.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- New Zealand Dependent Child Student Visa fee is NZD $750 (from) (Immigration New Zealand (official visa guidance))
- Processing time is 80% within eight weeks (Immigration New Zealand (official visa guidance))
- UK dependent child visa is £490 per child (GOV.UK (UK government guidance))
What’s still unclear
- Ireland’s exact processing times for child dependent visas are not published on official sites
- Ireland allows dependents on student visas, but the specific conditions for dependents are not confirmed on official government sites
- Ireland’s child dependent visa fee is not listed on official sites; the €100 figure is an estimate
- Which specific countries allow spouse and child dependents in 2026 may shift with immigration policy updates
The distinction is critical: the confirmed list rests on official government sources; the unclear list is where families most often get caught out by outdated advice on forums.
immigration.govt.nz, immigration.govt.nz, visa-fees.homeoffice.gov.uk, visa-fees.homeoffice.gov.uk, gov.uk
Frequently asked questions
Can I work in New Zealand on a Dependent Child Student visa?
No. The Dependent Child Student Visa is study-only. Work rights are not attached to this visa category, so a child on this visa cannot take up employment.
Do dependent children need a separate visa in Ireland?
Yes. Each dependent child requires their own visa application, even if the parent holds a valid student permission. The child’s visa is tied to, but separate from, the parent’s status.
Can a dependent child attend public school in the UK on a Student visa?
Yes, but only if the parent qualifies under the restricted UK dependent rules (doctoral or government-sponsored). The child must have their own dependant visa and can attend state school.
How long is a Dependent Child Student visa valid for in New Zealand?
The visa validity matches the parent’s visa duration. The child can stay as long as the parent holds an eligible work or student visa and the child remains a dependent.
What happens if my child turns 18 during the visa period in Ireland?
Turning 18 does not automatically end the visa, but the child must still meet the definition of dependency. If the child becomes financially independent, the dependent status could be reconsidered at renewal.
Is health insurance required for dependent children in New Zealand?
Yes, health insurance is strongly recommended, and in some cases required. All student visa holders, including dependents, must show appropriate health cover as part of the application.
Can a dependent child switch to a student visa in the UK?
The rules changed. If the child was on a dependant visa, switching to a Student visa is possible but subject to the standard Student visa requirements, including the restricted dependent rules that now apply.
Do I need a consent letter from the other parent for a child dependent visa?
Yes, in most cases. Immigration New Zealand explicitly requires evidence that the guardian has legal authority to care for the child, and a signed consent letter from the non-applying parent is standard practice across all three countries.
For families weighing the options, New Zealand offers the clearest path: an NZD $750 fee, a published eight-week processing time, and an age limit that extends to 20. Ireland looks attractive on price but lacks published timelines. The UK’s restrictions on master’s-level dependents make it viable only for doctoral researchers. For the parent planning a move in 2026, the choice is straightforward: if your child is under 20 and you hold a valid work or student visa in New Zealand, the dependent route is the most predictable. For everyone else, verify the current rules before committing to a country.
For those leaning toward Ireland or the UK, the 2026 updates are on the horizon — check government sites regularly, because dependent rules shift with policy reviews. The pattern across all three countries is that preparation beats improvisation; the family that sorts its paperwork early moves faster.
Related reading: Dependent Child Student Visa: Fees for Ireland, UK & NZ · Dependent Child Student Visa: 2026 Guide for Ireland, UK & NZ