Dependent Child Resident Visa

At a glance

This visa is for dependent children of parents who are New Zealand residents or citizens and are eligible to support a residence application. The child must meet age-specific criteria, be single, and in some cases be financially dependent. Children born or adopted before their parent's own residence application must have been declared on that application, unless an immigration officer accepts the non-declaration was unintentional and would not have changed the outcome. Where the child is under 16 and the parents are separated or divorced, the New Zealand parent must demonstrate the right to remove the child from the country of residence. [F5.20] Where the child is under 16 and only one parent holds New Zealand citizenship or a residence class visa, the New Zealand parent must similarly show the right to remove the child from the country of residence. [F5.25] If the supporting parent holds a resident visa with conditions under section 49(1) of the Immigration Act 2009 at the time support is given, the dependent child's resident visa will be granted with a condition that the supporter complies with the requirements of their visa. [F5.40]

How to apply

1. Check eligibility – confirm the child's age, relationship, and dependency status against the criteria below, and verify that the parent meets the support eligibility rules.
2. Gather documents – you will need proof of identity, birth certificate or adoption order, evidence of the parent's residence or citizenship status, and documents demonstrating dependency (if applicable). See Evidence requirements below for detailed guidance on acceptable documents.
3. Submit application – lodge a residence application online or on paper, paying the required fee.
4. Biometrics, health and character – the child must provide biometrics if requested and meet health and character requirements.
5. Await decision – INZ may request further information; a decision will be made once all requirements are satisfied.

Key definitions

The following definitions are used when assessing eligibility under the Dependent Child Category.

• Single [F5.5]: A child is single if they are not living with a partner in a genuine and stable partnership. For the purposes of this visa category, a partnership is considered to exist irrespective of duration.
• Lawfully and permanently in New Zealand [F5.5]: A parent is lawfully and permanently in New Zealand if they are actually residing in New Zealand and are either a citizen of New Zealand or the holder (or deemed holder) of a residence class visa.

Eligibility criteria

Child's age and status [F5.1]

• 17 or younger – must be single.
• 18 to 20 – must be single and have no children of their own.
• 21 to 24 – must be single, have no children of their own, and be totally or substantially reliant on an adult (whether the parent or not) for financial support.

Parent support eligibility [F5.1.5]

The parent(s) must be:

• a holder of a resident visa under the Active Investor Plus category who is subject to conditions under section 49(1) of the Immigration Act 2009, or
• lawfully and permanently in New Zealand, and
• not liable for deportation (or have deportation liability suspended).

Children under 16 with separated or divorced parents [F5.20]

If the parents of a child under 16 are separated or divorced, the New Zealand citizen or resident parent must have the right to remove the child from the country in which rights of custody or visitation have been granted (or, if no such rights, from the country of residence). [F5.20]

A resident visa will not be granted unless the parent provides satisfactory evidence of that right. [F5.20]

The evidence may include:

• legal documents showing that the New Zealand citizen or resident parent has the sole right to determine the child's residence, without rights of visitation by the other parent; or
• a court order permitting the New Zealand parent to remove the child from its country of residence; or
• legal documents showing custody of the child and a signed statement from the other parent, witnessed in accordance with local practice or law, agreeing to allow the child to live in New Zealand if the application is approved. [F5.20]

Where an immigration officer is satisfied that, by virtue of local law, the New Zealand parent has the statutory right to custody of the child, and it is not possible or required under that local law to obtain individualised legal documents to verify that custodial right, INZ will treat the parent as having the right to remove the child from the country of residence. [F5.20]

Children under 16 with only one parent holding New Zealand citizenship or residence [F5.25]

Where a child under the age of 16 has only one parent who is a New Zealand citizen or resident (the other parent is not a New Zealand citizen or resident), the New Zealand citizen or resident parent must have the right to remove the child from the child's country of residence. [F5.25]

A residence class visa will not be granted unless the New Zealand citizen or resident parent produces satisfactory evidence of their right to remove the child from the child's country of residence. [F5.25]

If the child's parents are not separated or divorced, evidence of the right to remove the child must include:

• a written statement confirmed by both parents at an interview with an immigration officer, either in person or by phone; or
• a court order permitting the applicant to remove the child from the child's country of residence. [F5.25]

If, because of the death of one parent, only one parent holds New Zealand citizenship or a residence class visa, the death certificate of the other parent must be provided. [F5.25]

An immigration officer may be satisfied that the New Zealand citizen or resident parent has the right to remove the child where:

• by virtue of local law, that parent has the statutory right to custody of the child; and
• it is not possible or required under that local law to obtain individualised legal documents to verify that custodial right. [F5.25]

Prior parent application rules [F5.1]

If the parent has previously applied for a residence class visa, the child must have been:

• born to, or adopted by, the parent before the parent's application and declared as a dependent child on that application; or
• born after the parent's application was made; or
• adopted after the parent's application was made, where the adoption is a New Zealand adoption order or an overseas adoption order having the same effect under the Adoption Act 1955 or the Adoption (Intercountry) Act 1997.

A child who was born or adopted before the parent's application was decided but was not declared on that application will normally be declined, unless the immigration officer is satisfied that:

• the non‑declaration occurred with no intent to mislead by either parent, and
• the outcome of the parent's application would not have been different had the child been declared.

Note: INZ must give the applicant an opportunity to explain the non‑declaration before declining on this basis.

Exclusion if previously eligible under family quota, refugee sponsorship, or Pacific categories [F5.35]

A resident visa will not be granted under the Dependent Child Category if the principal applicant was eligible for inclusion but was not actually included in:

1. a successful registration under the Family Quota, Refugee Family Support Category, Samoan Quota Scheme or Pacific Access Category; or
2. an expression of interest under the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship category from which an invitation to apply was subsequently issued. [F5.35]

Overseas adoption restrictions [F5.1]

For overseas adoptions that rely on sections 17(1) and 17(2) of the Adoption Act 1955, a visa cannot be granted unless the adoption is from an "exempt country" listed in Schedule 1AAB of that Act. Only the Minister of Immigration, by absolute discretion, can grant a resident visa in cases that do not meet this exemption.

English language requirement for previously eligible dependent children [F5.30]

If a principal applicant was eligible to be included as a dependent child in an earlier successful application under the General Skills Category, Skilled Migrant Category, Business Immigration Instructions or previous Business Investor Category but was not included, they must meet the English language criteria applicable at the time the Dependent Child Category application is made. [F5.30]

Such an applicant will be subject to the applicable English language instruction as if they were a non-principal applicant under the Skilled Migrant Category or Business Immigration Instructions. [F5.30]

• A principal applicant who would have been eligible under the General Skills or Skilled Migrant Category must meet the Skilled Migrant Category English language instruction in force when the Dependent Child Category application is made. [F5.30]
• A principal applicant who would have been eligible under the Business Investor or Business Immigration Instructions must meet the Business Immigration Instructions English language instruction in force when the Dependent Child Category application is made. [F5.30]

Health and character

Principal applicants must meet standard health and character requirements.

Evidence requirements

The items listed below are examples of relevant evidence; other documents may also be accepted at the discretion of the immigration officer [F5.10].

Relationship to parent(s) [F5.10]

Applicants must provide one or more of the following:

• birth certificates establishing the relationship of the dependent child to the parent(s); or
• household registration documents, if these establish the relationship; or
• evidence of adoption (see R3), which establishes the relationship of the dependent child to the parent(s).

Other evidence establishing the relationship may also be provided.

Declaration by parent(s) [F5.10]

Evidence of declaration as a dependent child is the declaration of children on the parent's residence application form.

Single status and age [F5.10]

Applicants aged 18 to 24 who are single with no children must provide:

• a declaration in the residence application form that the principal applicant is not married, not in a civil union, and not living in a de facto relationship; and
• a declaration that the principal applicant has no children; and
• a birth certificate or other evidence confirming the applicant is aged 18 to 24.

Applicants aged 17 or younger who are single must provide:

• a declaration that the principal applicant is not married, not in a civil union, and not living in a de facto relationship; and
• a birth certificate or other evidence confirming the applicant is 17 or younger.

Financial dependence [F5.10]

• Up to and including 17 years of age: a single child is presumed to be dependent — no additional evidence of financial dependence is required.
• 18 to 20 years of age: a single child with no children of their own is presumed to be dependent — no additional evidence of financial dependence is required.
• 21 to 24 years of age: evidence of actual financial dependence may be required. Immigration officers may request documentation demonstrating total or substantial reliance on an adult for financial support.

Adoption under the Adoption Act 1955 [F5.10]

Evidence is the Notice of Adoption Order. Notices of interim orders are not evidence of adoption.

Overseas adoption [F5.10]

Evidence that an overseas adoption has the same effect as a New Zealand adoption includes:

• a ruling from a New Zealand court; or
• the assessment of the immigration officer; or
• an Article 23 adoption certificate, for Hague Convention intercountry adoptions.

Parent's New Zealand citizenship or residence [F5.10]

Evidence that a parent is a New Zealand citizen may include:

• a New Zealand passport; or
• a New Zealand birth certificate issued prior to 1 January 2006; or
• a New Zealand birth certificate issued on or after 1 January 2006 that positively indicates New Zealand citizenship; or
• a certificate of New Zealand citizenship; or
• a confirmation of New Zealand citizenship by descent certificate; or
• an evidentiary certificate confirming New Zealand citizenship.

Evidence that a parent is a New Zealand resident is:

• a current New Zealand residence class visa in their passport or certificate of identity; or
• evidence of an electronic record of a current New Zealand residence class visa; or
• evidence the parent is deemed to hold a New Zealand residence class visa.

Lawfully and permanently in New Zealand [F5.10]

Evidence must be provided of actual residence in New Zealand. This may include but is not limited to:

• correspondence addressed to the applicant;
• employment references;
• rates demands;
• income tax returns;
• mortgage documents;
• documents showing that household effects have been moved to New Zealand.

Evidence of right to remove child from country of residence [F5.20]

For children under 16 whose parents are separated or divorced, the New Zealand parent must provide evidence of the right to remove the child from the country in which custody or visitation rights have been granted (or from the country of residence). Acceptable evidence includes:

• legal documents proving sole right to determine the child's residence, without visitation by the other parent; or
• a court order permitting removal; or
• custody documents plus a signed, witnessed statement from the other parent agreeing to the child living in New Zealand if the application is approved. [F5.20]

If local law gives the New Zealand parent statutory custody rights and it is not possible or required to obtain individual legal documents, the immigration officer may accept that the parent has the right to remove the child. [F5.20]

Evidence where only one parent holds New Zealand citizenship or residence [F5.25]

For children under 16 where one parent is not a New Zealand citizen or resident, the following evidence must be provided to demonstrate the New Zealand parent's right to remove the child from the child's country of residence:

• When the parents are not separated or divorced: a written statement confirmed by both parents at an interview with an immigration officer, either in person or by phone; or a court order permitting the New Zealand parent to remove the child. [F5.25]
• If one parent has died: the death certificate of the other parent. [F5.25]
• Where local law gives the New Zealand parent statutory custody and individual legal documents are not possible or required: the immigration officer may be satisfied of the right to remove without further documentation. [F5.25]

Interpretation & edge cases

• Financial reliance (21–24 age group) [F5.1]: When assessing whether a child is totally or substantially reliant on an adult, immigration officers consider all relevant factors, including whether the child is in paid employment, has other independent means of support, lives with a family member, or is studying. Part‑time employment that complies with the child's visa conditions (for example, as a student or dependent child of a work visa holder) is disregarded.
• Non‑declaration provisions [F5.1]: Even if a child was not declared on a parent's earlier application, INZ must provide an opportunity to explain the discrepancy before declining. The threshold is that the non‑declaration must be unintentional and must not have affected the parent's residence outcome.
• Ministerial discretion [F5.1]: For overseas adoption orders not from an exempt country, only the Minister can grant a resident visa, by absolute discretion.
• Verification of family details [F5.15]: Immigration officers may refer to former applications lodged by the applicant, any family member, or the sponsor to verify declarations made about family details. This includes checking the number of family members, the whereabouts of family members, and the applicant's marital status. In practice, this means declarations in a dependent child application (such as the child's single status or the existence of other siblings) may be cross‑checked against information supplied in earlier visa applications by the parent or other family members.
• Conditional visa condition under section 49(1) [F5.40]: If the supporting New Zealand parent holds a resident visa subject to conditions under section 49(1) of the Immigration Act 2009 at the time the support is given, the dependent child will be granted a resident visa subject to a condition that the named supporter complies with the requirements of their visa (see R5.65.1). This condition ties the child's residence status to the parent's ongoing compliance. If the parent fails to comply with their own visa conditions, the child's visa may be affected.

Citations

• F5.1 — How do dependent children qualify for a resident visa?
• F5.1.5 — Eligibility to support a residence class visa application under the Dependent Child Category
• F5.5 — Definitions
• F5.10 — Evidence
• F5.15 — Verification of family details
• F5.20 — Dependent children under 16 whose parents are separated or divorced
• F5.25 — Dependent children under 16 with only one parent holding New Zealand citizenship or a New Zealand residence class visa
• F5.30 — English language requirements
• F5.35 — Application under Dependent Child Category of person eligible for inclusion in an earlier registration or expression of interest
• F5.40 — Resident visas with conditions