FAMILY VISAS TO NEW ZEALAND

DEPENDENT CHILD VISA TO NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is committed to helping families reunite. The Dependent Child Visa policy is part of New Zealand's Family Category for residence. The dependent child policy allows dependent children to be sponsored for New Zealand permanent residence by an eligible parent. The category covers biological and legally or culturally adopted children.

NEW ZEALAND DEPENDENT CHILD VISA BASIC REQUIREMENTS

To obtain permanent residence under the Dependent Child policy applicants must meet requirements set by Immigration New Zealand. These include meeting health and good character criteria.

Applicants must be under 24 years of age, sponsored by a natural or adoptive parent who is New Zealand (or Australian) citizen or resident, and be totally and substantially reliant on an adult for financial support.

Parent(s) must be lawfully living in New Zealand on a permanent basis to be eligible to sponsor their child.

NEW ZEALAND DEPENDENT CHILD VISA ENTITLEMENTS

Approved Dependent Child Visa applicants will be issued with a permanent residence visa and/or permit, allowing them to live in New Zealand permanently.

A returning resident's visa (RRV) will also be issued allowing the holder to travel in and out of New Zealand for up to two years as a New Zealand resident. After two years, applicants may be eligible for an Indefinite RRV subject to meeting the relevant minimum residency requirements.

Permanent residents are entitled to the same rights and benefits as New Zealand citizens, including free access to public schools, subsidised tertiary education and other support, such as student loans, and subsidised public health services. Permanent residents may also apply for citizenship after satisfying the relevant residency requirements.

Another important benefit of permanent residence is the ability to sponsor close family members to New Zealand in the future.

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