How to Apply for New Zealand Child Visitor Visa

Learn how to secure a Child Visitor Visa for New Zealand with this guide. Ensure eligibility as a New Zealand citizen or resident for your dependent's entry.

Oliver Mercer
By Oliver Mercer - Chief Editor 11 Min Read

Key Takeaways:

  • The Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa allows dependent children to visit New Zealand for up to nine months.
  • Eligibility requires proof of dependency, good health, and character, parental status as a New Zealand citizen/resident, and financial support.
  • Applications can be made online or on paper, requiring identity, health, financial dependency, and travel documentation, plus applicable fees.

How Can My Child Obtain a New Zealand Visitor Visa?

If you’re a New Zealand citizen or resident looking to bring your dependent children to visit you in New Zealand, the Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa is an ideal option. This visa allows your children to stay in New Zealand for up to nine months and even study for up to three months. Let’s explore the detailed process, eligibility requirements, and required documentation to make the application process smoother.

How to Apply for New Zealand Child Visitor Visa
How to Apply for New Zealand Child Visitor Visa

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a Child Visitor Visa?

To apply for a Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa, certain criteria must be met:

  1. Parental Status: You must be a New Zealand citizen or resident.
  2. Dependency: The children must be dependent on you. This includes those who are 17 or younger, or 18–19 years old without children of their own.
  3. Health and Character: Your children should be in good health and of good character.
  4. Intent and Status: You must genuinely intend for your children to adhere to the visa conditions. They must also be single and financially reliant on you.
  5. Financial Support: There should be sufficient funds to support your children during their stay, or a sponsor who can undertake this responsibility.
  6. Travel Arrangements: Your children must have a ticket to depart New Zealand or a sponsor covering such costs.

What Documents Are Needed for a New Zealand Dependent Visa?

Gathering the correct documentation is crucial for a successful visa application. Here’s a list of what you need:

  1. Evidence of Identity:
    • Child’s valid passport (at least three months post-departure from New Zealand).
    • One to two photos that meet New Zealand requirements.
  2. Evidence of Good Health:
    • Generally, no medical examination is required unless your child has resided in a country with high tuberculosis rates in the last five years.
  3. Proof of Good Character:
    • No police certificate is typically needed if the stay is under nine months.
  4. Proof of Financial Dependency:
    • Documents showing school or university attendance.
    • Receipts for daily and significant expenses.
    • Bank statements indicating allowances.
  5. Sponsor or Financial Support Proof:
    • Bank statements, credit card statements, travelers’ cheques.
    • Completed ‘Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry’ if applicable.
  6. Proof of New Zealand Residency:
    • New Zealand passport, birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or Resident Visa.
  7. Proof of Parent-Child Relationship:
    • Birth certificates or adoption papers.
  8. Travel Arrangements:
    • Return travel tickets or proof of sufficient funds for purchasing such tickets.

How to Apply Online for a Child Visitor Visa in New Zealand?

The online application process for a Child Visitor Visa is straightforward if you follow these steps:

  1. Complete the Online Application:
    • Visit the official Immigration New Zealand website and click on ‘apply online.’ You will need to create or log in to your RealMe account.
    • Provide accurate personal data and complete all mandatory fields.
  2. Provide Sponsorship Form (if applicable):
  3. Upload Required Documents:
    • Gather all required documents in PDF format and ensure they meet the size requirements specified in the application portal.
  4. Pay the Application Fee:
    • The online application fee is NZD $210, payable via Visa, MasterCard, or UnionPay.
  5. Submit the Application:
    • Once everything is in place, submit your application. An eVisa will be issued and sent to you. Print this and carry it during your travel to New Zealand.

How to Apply on Paper for a Child Visitor Visa in New Zealand?

If you prefer a paper application, here’s a simplified guide:

  1. Complete the Visitor Visa Application Form:
    • Fill out the Visitor Visa Application (INZ 1017) using capital letters and provide all necessary information. Ensure your child’s name is written on the back of both photos.
  2. Book an Appointment with VFS.GLOBAL:
    • Schedule an appointment at the nearest visa application center. You’ll receive a confirmation email and a letter of appointment. Note that the nearest center might be in a different country, requiring travel arrangements.
  3. Provide the Sponsorship Form (if applicable):
  4. Attend the Appointment:
    • Submit the filled-out application form along with all required documents at the visa application center. The fee for a paper application ranges between NZD $190 – 240, with additional Visa Application Center fees (NZD $46 – 75) and Courier fees (NZD $13 – 193), payable with a credit or debit card.
  5. Await the Decision:
    • Immigration New Zealand will process your application, typically providing a decision within 56 days.

How Long Can Children Stay in New Zealand on a Dependent Visa?

Your children can stay in New Zealand for up to nine months on a Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa. They can also study for three months within this period. Should they wish to study longer, a different study visa will be required.

What Happens After Receiving the Visa?

Once granted the Child Visitor Visa, several conditions need to be met:

  • Entry Permission: Children must apply for entry permission upon arriving in New Zealand.
  • Travel Conditions: The visa allows multiple entries. Single-entry visas expire once the child leaves New Zealand.
  • Financial Proof: Tickets or sufficient funds for departure must be maintained.
  • Support: Adequate funds or a sponsor must be available to support the stay.
  • Education: Children can study up to three months but cannot work.
  • Departure: Children must leave New Zealand before their visa expires.

FAQs About the New Zealand Dependent Visa

Can My Children Study in New Zealand on This Visa?

Yes, they can study for up to three months. For a longer study duration, a New Zealand study visa is necessary.

Can My Children Work on a Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa?

No, this visa does not grant work rights. To work, they need a New Zealand Work visa.

What Are the Fees for the Application?

  • Online Application: NZD $210
  • Paper Application: NZD $190 – 240 (additional Visa Application Center and Courier fees apply)

How Long Does It Take to Process?

The processing time generally takes about 56 days. You will receive a notification regarding the outcome from Immigration New Zealand within this timeframe.

By adhering to these steps and ensuring all required documentation is in order, the application process for a Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa can be a smooth experience. Ensure all details are accurate and submit all necessary forms to increase the likelihood of a successful application. For more detailed information and to apply, visit the official Immigration New Zealand website.

Learn Today:

Glossary of Immigration Terms

1. Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa\
A specific visa granted to dependent children of New Zealand citizens or residents, allowing them to stay in New Zealand for up to nine months and study for up to three months.

2. Dependency\
In the context of immigration, refers to children who are financially reliant on their parent(s), typically under 20 years old with no children of their own, qualifying them for specific dependent visas.

3. Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025)\
A legal document required if a sponsor is funding the stay of a visitor in New Zealand, confirming that the sponsor will support the visitor’s expenses during their stay.

4. RealMe Account\
An online identity verification system used by New Zealand government services, including Immigration New Zealand, to allow users to apply for visas and access various other governmental services securely.

5. Proof of Good Character\
Documents or statements required to demonstrate that a visa applicant has no significant criminal history, generally not required if the visa stay is less than nine months.

This Article In A Nutshell:

To get a New Zealand Visitor Visa for your child, you need to be a citizen or resident. The child must be dependent, in good health, and of good character. Submit required documents, including proof of relationship, financial support, and travel arrangements, online or via paper to Immigration New Zealand.
— By VisaVerge.com

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. If you reference or use any content from this article, please attribute it to VisaVerge.com by including a link to the original source. We appreciate your adherence to our content usage policies and your commitment to giving proper credit.

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Oliver Mercer
Chief Editor
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As the Chief Editor at VisaVerge.com, Oliver Mercer is instrumental in steering the website's focus on immigration, visa, and travel news. His role encompasses curating and editing content, guiding a team of writers, and ensuring factual accuracy and relevance in every article. Under Oliver's leadership, VisaVerge.com has become a go-to source for clear, comprehensive, and up-to-date information, helping readers navigate the complexities of global immigration and travel with confidence and ease.
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