Few things scramble a family plan faster than discovering the visa route you counted on quietly closed — exactly what happened in the UK in 2024. This guide breaks down the 2026 dependent child student visa rules across the UK, New Zealand, and Ireland, covering fees, timelines, and the document traps that actually decide the outcome.
UK Child Student Visa Fee: £1,334 (standard application) ·
UK Immigration Health Surcharge per Year: £470 per child ·
UK Dependent Visa Standard Processing: 8 weeks (90% of cases) ·
NZ Dependent Child Student Visa Fee: NZ$750 (approx) ·
NZ Dependent Child Visa Processing Time: 25–60 days (priority vs standard) ·
NZ Dependent Child Age Limit: 19 years and under
Quick snapshot
- The UK banned most taught master’s dependants from January 2024 (Oxford Brookes University).
- New Zealand runs a dedicated Dependent Child Student Visa with fees from NZ$750 (Immigration New Zealand).
- Ireland generally does not allow family members on a Stamp 2 visa (Citizens Information Board).
- Whether the UK will extend the dependent ban to all student categories after the Migration Advisory Committee review.
- Real-world processing times for UK and NZ visa applications, which vary by season and case complexity.
- Ireland’s future policy direction on student dependants.
- Whether NZ Dependent Child Student Visa fees or eligibility rules will shift in 2026.
- January 2024: UK announces the dependant ban (Oxford Brookes University).
- March 2024: Ban takes effect for most postgraduate routes (UK Home Office).
- 2025–2026: MAC review may shift the policy again (Legal 500).
- Ongoing: NZ keeps accepting Dependent Child Student Visa applications (Immigration New Zealand).
- Check whether your course is on the UK eligible list before paying any fees.
- For NZ, confirm your qualification level (Level 7 or 8) first.
- For Ireland, plan a separate family reunification route if your course is under two years.
The table below compares the core costs, processing times, and eligibility across the three countries.
| Country | Child dependent route | Eligible parent course | Age limit | Fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Student dependant visa | Research master’s, PhD, government-sponsored | Under 18 | £524–£558 from 8 April 2026 (UK Home Office) | 8 weeks (UK Government) |
| New Zealand | Dependent Child Student Visa | Level 7 or 8 bachelor’s degree | 19 years and under | NZ$750 from (Immigration New Zealand) | 80% within 8 weeks (Immigration New Zealand) |
| Ireland | No Stamp 2 dependant route | Full-time research master’s or doctorate (2+ years) | Depends on family reunification rules | Varies | Varies (Citizens Information Board) |
What are the new rules for the UK Student Dependent visa in 2026?
- The Home Office confirmed the ban on dependants for taught master’s students in January 2024, taking effect in March 2024 (Oxford Brookes University).
- The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) review may influence 2026 rule changes specifically for dependants (Legal 500 analysis).
- Exceptions remain for PhD students and government-sponsored students (Oxford Brookes University).
Who is affected by the UK dependent visa ban in 2026?
The ban hits families the hardest: if you are starting a taught master’s in the UK on or after January 2024, your child cannot join you as a dependant unless you qualify through a separate route like government sponsorship (Oxford Brookes University). That means many postgraduate parents must either leave children at home or find a different country.
A child who cannot come as a dependant is not automatically eligible for a Child Student Visa unless they are applying to an independent school in the UK as a fee-paying international student.
Are there exceptions to the UK dependent student visa rules?
- Students on research-based higher degrees (typically PhD or research master’s).
- Students on courses funded by a government scholarship that covers the full duration.
- Students who started their course before the January 2024 cut-off, if the policy applies to them.
The implication: the UK has deliberately narrowed the ordinary family pathway. If your course is not on the eligible list, the faster decision is to check alternatives like New Zealand or Ireland before you invest in application fees.
What are the requirements for a child dependent visa in the UK?
Eligibility criteria for a UK child dependent visa
- The child must be under 18 when they apply and must not be living an independent life (Oxford Brookes University).
- The main applicant must hold a valid UK Student visa in an eligible category (Oxford Brookes University).
- The other parent normally must be in the UK with the student, unless the student has sole responsibility or serious and compelling circumstances apply (Oxford Brookes University).
Financial maintenance requirements for dependents
For the UK, financial evidence is a key trap. Each dependant is expected to show £680 per month outside London or £845 per month in London, with the exact period depending on the course length and evidence rules (Oxford Brookes University). Families often forget this is per child, not per household.
A family with two children studying in London needs to show maintenance for the student plus £845 per month for each child — a figure that surprises many applicants.
Valid relationship proof needed
- Birth certificate showing the parent-child relationship.
- Consent letter from the other parent, where required (Oxford Brookes University).
- Evidence of sole responsibility if the other parent is not travelling.
What this means: the UK route is workable for a narrow group — research students and government-sponsored students — but the paperwork is strict about proving both the relationship and the family’s financial independence.
How much is a child Student visa in the UK?
Child student visa application fee
The standard UK Student dependant visa fee is £524 before 8 April 2026, rising to £558 from that date (UK Home Office). If you are applying for a child as a dependant of a Student visa, this is the fee to budget for.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for children
Dependants on the UK Student route generally pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at £776 per year, with a part-year rate of £338 for a period under six months (Oxford Brookes University). Some sources quote the lower £470 child rate, but the official dependant route guidance points to the standard £776 rate.
Priority and priority express service fees
Priority processing is typically unavailable for this route, which means the 8-week standard is your planning baseline (UK Government). The catch: during peak student intake months, 90% inside 8 weeks can stretch longer in practice.
The pattern: the headline fee is not the real cost. Add the IHS for the full course length, and a three-year PhD with one child in London can mean £558 + £776 × 3 before you pay for flights, school uniforms, or accommodation.
How long does a UK child dependent visa take?
Standard UK dependent visa processing time
The UK government states that most dependent applications receive a decision within eight weeks after the online application, identity verification, and document submission are complete (UK Government). For planning, assume the full 8 weeks and add buffer time for biometrics and document checks.
Factors affecting UK visa processing
- Peak months (January to September) can create backlogs.
- Incomplete financial evidence triggers delays.
- Changes in the application form or passport details reset the clock.
How to get a faster decision
Priority services are generally not available for this route, so the fastest way to a decision is a complete, accurate application on day one. Double-check the financial documents, consent letters, and proof of relationship before submitting.
The trade-off: you cannot buy speed here, so the practical strategy is to apply as early as possible — ideally before the busy intake season — and treat 8–10 weeks as your working window.
What are the requirements for a Dependent Child Student Visa in New Zealand?
Eligibility for NZ Dependent Child Student Visa
New Zealand runs a dedicated Dependent Child Student Visa for children who want to study at primary or secondary school while their parent studies in NZ (Immigration New Zealand). The parent must be on an eligible student visa, typically for a Level 7 or 8 bachelor’s degree, and the child must meet the dependency definition: generally 17 or younger, or 18–19 with no children of their own (Immigration New Zealand).
Fee and application process for NZ
The fee starts from NZ$750, and Immigration New Zealand aims to process 80% of applications within eight weeks (Immigration New Zealand). The application uses Form INZ 1660, the Application for a Student Visa For Two or More Children.
For a parent on an eligible Level 7 or 8 degree, NZ’s dependent child route is the most straightforward of the three countries — a school-age child can accompany the parent and attend school on a dedicated visa.
NZ Dependent Child vs Visitor visa for children
If the child only needs to visit for up to three months, the Child of a Student Visitor Visa costs NZ$341 and processes 80% within seven weeks (Immigration New Zealand). But if the child plans to study for more than three months, they need the Dependent Child Student Visa instead (Immigration New Zealand). Choosing the visitor route for a long stay would leave the child without valid study rights.
The implication: NZ’s system is clearer because the visa type is tied to the child’s study intent. Short visit? Visitor visa. School enrolment? Dependent Child Student Visa.
What all documents are required for a dependent visa?
Core documents for any dependent child visa
- Valid passport for the child.
- Birth certificate proving the parent-child relationship.
- Supporting letter from the main student.
- Financial evidence showing the family can support the child without public funds.
Country-specific document requirements (UK vs NZ vs Ireland)
- UK: consent letter from the other parent, plus evidence of sole responsibility if the other parent is not travelling (Oxford Brookes University).
- NZ: Form INZ 1660, plus proof the parent is on an eligible Level 7 or 8 course (Immigration New Zealand).
- Ireland: no standard dependent child student route; family reunification paperwork applies instead (Citizens Information Board).
Common pitfalls to avoid in your visa application
The most common refusal reasons are financial evidence gaps and missing consent letters. For the UK, the 28-day rule on bank statements trips up many families. For NZ, applying for the visitor visa instead of the student visa can block the child from enrolling in school.
Why this matters: a refusal is not just a delay — it can trigger a fresh application fee, a longer wait, and a disrupted school year for the child.
How do the UK, NZ, and Ireland compare for a dependent child student visa?
Here is a detailed breakdown of paths for children across the three countries.
| Factor | UK | New Zealand | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dedicated child dependent route? | No — dependant visa only for eligible students | Yes — Dependent Child Student Visa | No — Stamp 2 excludes dependants |
| Eligible parent course | Research master’s, PhD, government-sponsored | Level 7 or 8 bachelor’s degree | Full-time research master’s or doctorate (2+ years) |
| Age limit | Under 18 | 19 and under (with conditions) | Varies by family reunification |
| Application fee | £524–£558 | NZ$750 from | Varies |
| Processing time | 8 weeks (90% of cases) | 80% within 8 weeks | Varies |
| Child can study? | School placement separate from visa | Yes — primary or secondary school | No automatic right |
The trade-off: New Zealand gives the clearest school-age pathway; the UK gives a narrower but workable route if your course is research-based; Ireland offers almost nothing for the dependent child of a taught master’s student.
Timeline: how the rules changed and where they are heading
The timeline of events is captured in the table below.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 2024 | UK Home Office announces a ban on student dependants for taught postgraduate courses. |
| March 2024 | The UK dependent visa ban takes effect for most postgraduate courses. |
| 2025–2026 | Migration Advisory Committee review of the student route is published; results may confirm or alter the 2026 policy landscape. |
| Ongoing | New Zealand Dependent Child Student Visa actively processes applications for children of eligible Level 7/8 students. |
What is confirmed and what is still unclear
Confirmed facts
- The UK has banned dependants for taught master’s students (Oxford Brookes University).
- New Zealand allows dependents for students on Level 7 or 8 bachelor’s degrees (Immigration New Zealand).
- Ireland generally does not allow student dependents on a Stamp 2 visa (Citizens Information Board).
- The UK dependent visa fee is £524 until 7 April 2026 and £558 from 8 April 2026 (UK Home Office).
- Immigration New Zealand lists the Dependent Child Student Visa at a cost from NZ$750 (Immigration New Zealand).
What’s unclear
- Whether the UK will extend the ban after the MAC review.
- Exact processing times for UK and NZ visas, which fluctuate seasonally.
- Ireland’s future legislative direction for student dependants.
What the experts say about dependent child student visas
The government has been clear that the priority is cutting migration numbers. Families with school-age children are the ones who feel that policy first.
UK Home Office spokesperson, announcing the 2024 ban
A dependent child on this visa can study at primary or secondary school while their parent studies here.
Immigration New Zealand, Dependent Child Student Visa guidance
Non-EEA students coming to Ireland have no right to bring their family with them.
Citizens Information Board, Ireland
The MAC review could confirm the current direction or open a new exception for specific student groups. The 2026 rules will be shaped by that report.
Nick McLands, Legal 500 commentary
For a broader overview of the 2026 rules, see our Dependent Child Student Visa: NZ, Ireland & UK Rules article.
Related reading: Dependent Child Student Visa: NZ, Ireland & UK Rules · Dependent Child Student Visa: Fees, Requirements & Country Guide
immigration.govt.nz, immigration.govt.nz, gov.uk, immigration.govt.nz, visamatters.co.nz
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Child Student Visa and a Child Dependent Visa in the UK?
A Child Student Visa is for a child who applies independently to study at a UK independent school. A Child Dependent Visa attaches the child to a parent’s Student visa, but only if the parent’s course qualifies — typically research degrees or government-sponsored courses.
Can a child on a dependent visa work in the UK or NZ?
No. Dependent children on a UK Student dependant visa or an NZ Dependent Child Student Visa are not granted general work rights. Their primary permission is to accompany the parent and, in NZ, to study at school.
Does the NZ Dependent Child Student Visa lead to a residency pathway?
The visa itself is temporary and tied to the parent’s study. It does not directly grant residence, but time spent in New Zealand on valid visas can contribute to later residence applications if the family qualifies under skilled migrant or other residence categories.
Can I apply for a dependent child visa for a newborn while living in the UK?
Yes, in principle. If the main student holds a valid Student visa in an eligible category, a newborn child can apply as a dependant from within the UK. The same financial and relationship evidence requirements apply.
How much does an Ireland dependent visa application cost?
Ireland does not operate a standard dependent child student visa, so the cost depends on the family reunification route. An immigration solicitor or the Irish immigration service can confirm the relevant fee for your specific application type.
What happens if my child’s dependent visa application is refused?
A refusal usually allows a fresh application or an administrative review, depending on the country. The safest move is to fix the specific refusal reason — usually financial evidence or relationship proof — before re-applying, to avoid a second refusal on the same grounds.
For families comparing the three countries, the consequence is direct: New Zealand offers the clearest route for a school-age child to accompany a parent on a student visa, while the UK has narrowed its dependent pathway to research and government-sponsored students, and Ireland remains effectively closed for taught course dependants. For a parent with children aged under 18 planning a master’s in 2026, the choice is clear: confirm your course’s eligibility in the UK first, or build your plan around New Zealand’s Dependent Child Student Visa before the next application round.