Dependent Child Resident Visa
The Dependent Child Resident Visa is residence for the dependent child of a New Zealand citizen or resident. Immigration New Zealand describes it this way: “Apply for this visa to bring your dependent children to live with you in New Zealand. You must be a New Zealand citizen or resident.” It costs from NZD $3,230. INZ publishes a processing time of 80% within 7 months.
Checked against immigration.govt.nz on 2026-09-15
What Immigration New Zealand publishes
- Length of stay
- Live, work and study
- indefinitely
- Cost
- From
- NZD $3230
- Processing time
- 80% within
- 7 months
- Age range
- 24 years or younger
Copied from the Dependent Child Resident Visa page at immigration.govt.nz on 2026-09-15. Figures change without notice.
To apply you must
- be a New Zealand citizen or resident, and live in New Zealand
- have a dependent child who is single and depends on you for financial support
- have a dependent child who is aged 24 or younger
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
INZ’s own wording, unedited.
This visa lets you
- bring your dependent child to New Zealand to live with you
- have your dependent child study and work in New Zealand, if old enough.
INZ’s own wording, unedited.
Where to apply
You apply to Immigration New Zealand, not to us. The Dependent Child Resident Visa page carries the application link, the full requirements and the current fee.
Questions about the Dependent Child Resident Visa
What does the Dependent Child Resident Visa cost?
Immigration New Zealand publishes a cost of NZD $3,230 for this visa, as the "from" figure — the lowest published amount. Medicals, police certificates, translations and any adviser's fee are separate. Checked on 2026-09-15; confirm on the INZ page.
How long does the Dependent Child Resident Visa take?
Immigration New Zealand publishes 80% within 7 months for this visa. That is a published average, not a promise about any one application. Checked on 2026-09-15; the current figure is on the INZ page.
Who can apply for the Dependent Child Resident Visa?
INZ's own summary is: "Apply for this visa to bring your dependent children to live with you in New Zealand. You must be a New Zealand citizen or resident." The published criteria are listed above, word for word. Whether any particular person meets them is a question for Immigration New Zealand, or for a licensed immigration adviser or a New Zealand lawyer — not for this site.
Where do I apply?
On Immigration New Zealand's own website. Start at Dependent Child Resident Visa. Applying through this site is not possible: we are an information site and we cannot lodge or handle an application.
Can NZ Visas tell me whether I qualify?
No, and we would be breaking the law if we did. Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, telling somebody how the rules apply to their own immigration matter is licensed work. We republish the published rules and stop there. More on where that line sits.
Sources
Read on 2026-09-15. Immigration rules change: if this page and the source disagree, the source is right.
Once you have a decision
Getting the visa is one job; landing here is another. Our settling-in guides cover the IRD number, a bank account, a rental, schools, a doctor and a driver licence — all free, and all separate from anything to do with your visa.