Student Visa for Child Victims of People Trafficking

At a glance

Child victims of people trafficking who wish to study at primary or secondary school may be granted a student visa valid for 12 months. The applicant must have certification from the New Zealand Police that they are believed to be a victim of people trafficking. [U10.5]

Immigration officers may waive the application fee and the requirement to provide evidence of funds or sponsorship. [U10.5] Student visas granted under this category may be endorsed with conditions that allow study as a domestic student at any primary or secondary school. [U10.5]

How to apply

Applications must be made in the prescribed manner (see general student visa application requirements), but an appropriately delegated immigration officer may waive the application fee and the requirement to produce evidence of funds or sponsorship. [U10.5]

Eligibility criteria

• The applicant must be a child victim of people trafficking. A child victim is a person who was under the age of 18 at the time they were identified as a victim of people trafficking. [U10.5]
• The applicant must have certification from the New Zealand Police that they are believed to be a victim of people trafficking. [U10.5]
• The student visa is granted for 12 months and may be endorsed with conditions allowing study as a domestic student at any primary or secondary school. [U10.5]
• A child victim may be in New Zealand unaccompanied, or may be a victim of people trafficking together with their parent(s). [U10.5]

Interpretation & edge cases

• Fee and evidence waivers: The application fee and evidence of funds or sponsorship may be waived at the discretion of an appropriately delegated immigration officer. This differentiates the category from standard student visa requirements. [U10.5]
• Domestic student conditions: Endorsement as a domestic student means the holder can attend primary or secondary school without paying foreign-student tuition fees. [U10.5]
• Relationship to permanent residence: This temporary student visa is distinct from the residence pathway for victims of people trafficking under the Residence Category for Victims of People Trafficking. A child victim may hold a special temporary visa before seeking residence. See Residence Category for Victims of People Trafficking.
• Interaction with general student visas: For standard student visa requirements and conditions, see Student Visa. The present visa is a separate instrument with its own eligibility and waiver provisions.
• Child victims as minors: The definition of a child victim overlaps with the general definition of a minor under immigration instructions. For responsible adult nomination and related provisions, see Minors.

Citations

• U10.5 — Student visas and permission to study for child victims of people trafficking