You have a confirmed place on a New Zealand study programme, and now the school-age child beside you is wondering where they fit into the plan. The dependent child student visa exists exactly for this moment, and the good news is that the pathway is far more straightforward than the paperwork suggests. This guide walks you through who qualifies, what it costs, and how the application actually works, with the official Immigration New Zealand rules as the baseline.
Visa Fee (New Zealand): NZD $750 ·
Processing Time (80%): 8 weeks ·
Age Limit: Typically under 19 ·
Application Method: Online
Quick Snapshot
- Dependent children aged 19 or younger can study at NZ primary or secondary schools (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- The visa fee starts at NZD $750 (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- 80% of applications are processed within 8 weeks (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- Whether children over 19 can be included as dependents in all countries
- The exact definition of financial dependency for older children
- Applications are submitted online through an Immigration New Zealand account (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- Plan for 8 weeks of processing time before the academic term starts (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- Confirm your own student visa status and check your work-visa income if applicable
- Gather proof of relationship, financial support, and the child’s birth certificate before starting the online form
Key visa details for the Dependent Child Student Visa are listed below.
| Visa Name | Dependent Child Student Visa (New Zealand) |
| Applying Country | New Zealand |
| Visa Fee | NZD $750 |
| Processing Time (80%) | 8 weeks |
| Age Limit | Under 19 (with conditions) |
| Validity | Tied to parent’s student or work visa |
Can I bring dependents on a student visa?
The short answer is yes, but the route depends on your host country and the type of visa you hold. In New Zealand, the dependent child student visa is a specific pathway that lets your child attend school while you study or work there. The parent must hold an appropriate work or student visa to support the application, according to Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority). In the UK, the rules are stricter: a student visa typically allows you to bring your partner and children only if you are on a postgraduate course at a designated institution, as outlined in GOV.UK (UK government). Ireland has its own framework under the Irish Immigration Service, where dependents of certain permission holders can apply for join-family visas.
“The parent must hold an appropriate work or student visa to support the application.” — Immigration New Zealand
Which countries allow dependents?
- New Zealand: Dependent children of student-visa holders or qualifying work-visa holders can apply for the dependent child student visa (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- United Kingdom: Partner and children can join a student on a postgraduate course (PhD or research-based) at a licensed sponsor (GOV.UK (UK government))
- Ireland: Dependents can join certain employment permit holders; student-visa dependents are generally not permitted (Irish Immigration Service)
“Partner and children can join a student on a postgraduate course (PhD or research-based) at a licensed sponsor.” — GOV.UK
What are the general requirements?
- The child must generally be aged 19 or younger and be financially dependent on the parent (Immigration New Zealand (family definition))
- The parent must hold a valid student or work visa that permits dependents (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- The sponsoring parent must be the child’s parent and have legal right to remove the child from the home country (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- Proof of financial support and sufficient funds for the child’s stay is required (Immigration New Zealand (family definition))
The implication: if your host country is New Zealand, the pathway is clear; if elsewhere, check the specific rules.
Who qualifies as a dependent child?
Immigration New Zealand defines a dependent child for temporary-visa purposes as someone aged 19 or younger, single, and financially dependent on the parent. There’s a specific nuance: a dependent child aged 18 or 19 must not have children of their own, per Immigration New Zealand’s family definition. This definition applies to the dependent child student visa, which allows the child to attend primary or secondary school in New Zealand (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority)).
Can a dependent child be over 18?
Yes, but with conditions. A child aged 18 or 19 can still qualify as a dependent for the visa, provided they remain single and financially dependent on the parent. The key restriction is that a child in this age bracket must not have children of their own, according to Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority). Beyond age 19, the child would need to apply for their own student visa rather than as a dependent.
Who qualifies as an adult dependent relative?
The adult dependent relative category is a separate route, mainly seen in Irish and UK immigration rules, and it rarely applies to students’ children. In New Zealand’s dependent child student visa context, the child is the only dependent covered; parents or other adult relatives would need to meet separate visa criteria. The definition stays within the 19-and-under bracket, single and financially dependent, with no allowance for adult relatives to be included on this visa, as stated by Immigration New Zealand.
Can a mother be a dependant?
Parents can generally be listed as dependents on a student visa only in rare circumstances, such as medical care needs or extreme dependency cases, and this is determined case-by-case. The dependent child student visa itself is explicitly for children, not parents. If a parent needs to accompany a student, they would need to apply for a separate visa category, such as a visitor visa or a work visa, based on Immigration New Zealand rules.
The age boundary is firm: once a child turns 20, the dependent child student visa no longer applies, and the family must plan for a separate student visa application for that child.
The pattern: age and financial dependency are the critical factors; plan ahead of the 20th birthday.
How do I apply for a child dependant visa?
The application process is fully online through an Immigration New Zealand account. You’ll need to complete the form, upload supporting documents, and pay the applicable fee, as outlined in Immigration New Zealand’s application instructions. The process itself is methodical, and the paperwork is the main hurdle.
Step-by-step application process
- Create an account: Access or create an Immigration New Zealand account online (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- Complete the form: Fill out the dependent child student visa application with accurate personal details
- Upload documents: Provide proof of relationship, the child’s passport, parent’s visa status, and financial evidence
- Pay the fee: The visa fee starts at NZD $750 (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- Track processing: Allow up to 8 weeks for 80% of applications to be processed (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
Required documents
- Child’s passport and birth certificate
- Parent’s current student or work visa details
- Proof of the parent-child relationship
- Evidence of financial support for the child’s living expenses
- Parent’s written consent to pay healthcare costs if the child is not publicly funded (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- Evidence that the child will leave New Zealand at the end of the stay (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
What this means: preparation before starting the online form is key to avoid delays.
How much is a Student visa with dependents?
The dependent child student visa carries its own fee separate from the parent’s student visa. The listed cost starts at NZD $750, and this is exclusive of any other costs like healthcare or living expenses, per Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority). It’s worth comparing this to the shorter-stay alternative: a child studying for up to 3 months may instead qualify for a Child of a Student Visitor Visa, which is listed at NZD 341, with 80% of applications processed within 7 weeks (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority)).
What are the typical fees?
The following table compares the two visa options for children.
| Visa Type | Fee | Processing Time (80%) |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent Child Student Visa | NZD $750 | 8 weeks |
| Child of a Student Visitor Visa | NZD $341 | 7 weeks |
Beyond the visa fee, families should budget for health insurance if the child isn’t eligible for publicly funded healthcare, plus living costs for the duration of the stay. The parent must show sufficient funds for the child’s living expenses or provide an acceptable sponsor or guarantor, according to Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority).
The NZD 750 dependent child student visa is a full-year commitment to schooling. The NZD 341 visitor-visa option is cheaper, but caps study at 3 months — only fit for short summer terms, not a full academic year.
The trade-off: choose based on the length of study needed.
Is dependent allowed in New Zealand on student visa?
Yes, dependent children can travel with a student-visa holder to New Zealand, provided the parent holds the right visa category. The dependent child student visa is the dedicated route for a child to study at a New Zealand primary or secondary school while the parent is on a student or qualifying work visa, as confirmed by Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority). This pathway is distinct from the Child of a Student Visitor Visa, which covers study stints of up to 3 months (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority)).
What are the requirements for New Zealand?
- Parent must hold an appropriate work or student visa (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- Child must be aged 19 or younger, single, and financially dependent (Immigration New Zealand (family definition))
- Parent must prove sufficient funds for the child’s living expenses (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- For work-visa holders, a minimum income requirement may apply (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
- Parent must agree to cover healthcare costs if the child isn’t publicly funded (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority))
If the parent holds a work visa, they must generally show enough money for the child to leave New Zealand at the end of the stay, and evidence may be required showing the child can leave the country, per Immigration New Zealand guidance. Diplomatic, consular, or official staff may also need a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Immigration New Zealand (official visa authority)).
A parent on a work visa faces a double deadline: their own visa expiry and the child’s school term. If the work visa’s income threshold isn’t met, the dependent child visa application pauses, leaving the family with a visa gap and a school place in limbo.
The catch: income threshold compliance is critical for work-visa holders.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I bring dependents on a student visa in Ireland?
Ireland does not generally permit dependents to join student-visa holders. Dependents may join certain employment permit holders, but the dependent child student visa pathway used in New Zealand is not available in Ireland. Check the Irish Immigration Service for current rules.
Who is considered a dependent child in Ireland?
In Ireland, a dependent child for immigration purposes is typically under 18, but the definition varies by permission type. For study situations, the dependent child student visa used in New Zealand has no Irish equivalent; the child would need their own permission to study. See the Irish Immigration Service for specifics.
Who qualifies as a dependent relative?
A dependent relative in most student-visa contexts is a spouse or child under 18, though New Zealand extends the child definition to 19 or younger if single and financially dependent. The dependent child student visa covers the child only; other relatives need separate visas. This is detailed in Immigration New Zealand’s definition.
Who is eligible for a dependant visa?
Eligibility for a dependant visa hinges on the parent’s visa type and the child’s age. In New Zealand, the child must be 19 or younger, single, financially dependent, and the parent must hold a qualifying student or work visa (Immigration New Zealand).
How much does a dependent visa cost?
In New Zealand, the dependent child student visa costs NZD $750, with 80% of applications processed within 8 weeks. The shorter Child of a Student Visitor Visa costs NZD 341 and processes in 7 weeks for 80% of applications (Immigration New Zealand)
Confirmed
- Dependent children aged 19 or younger can study at NZ primary or secondary schools (Immigration New Zealand)
- The Child of a Student Visitor Visa is an alternative for short stays up to 3 months (Immigration New Zealand)
- In the UK, dependents are allowed only for postgraduate research courses (GOV.UK)
Unclear
- Whether children over 19 can be included as dependents in all countries
- The exact definition of financial dependency for older children
- Whether the dependent child student visa permits part-time work for the child
The dependent child student visa is not a concession; it is a defined pathway with clear age boundaries, a specific fee, and a processing window you can plan around. For a parent already committed to a New Zealand study programme, the decision is clear: get the child’s paperwork in order and file online before the term start date, or face a semester gap while the 8-week clock runs. The rule’s edge case is the 19-year-old dependent — secure that application before the birthday, and the transition is smooth; miss it, and the child needs a separate student visa entirely.
Related reading
- Dependent child student visa fees and requirements (detailed cost breakdown)
- Dependent child student visa rules for NZ, Ireland and UK (cross-country comparison)