How student visa holders in New Zealand can bring family members
Students holding a New Zealand student visa can sponsor visas for their partners and children, including visitor, work and student visas, depending on the level and type of course they are enrolled in, according to guidelines by Immigration New Zealand.
The rules allow international students to bring immediate family members, but eligibility varies based on qualification level and specific study conditions.
What visas can be supported
Students enrolled in any qualification can support visitor visas for their partner and children. These include the Partner of a Student Visitor Visa and Child of a Student Visitor Visa.
In certain cases, students may also support a work visa for their partner and student visas for dependent children. However, this depends on the course level and whether it meets specific criteria.
Visas issued to family members are typically aligned with the duration of the student’s visa.
When partners can get work visas
Students pursuing higher-level qualifications are eligible to support work visas for their partners. This includes those studying:
Rules for dependent children
Student visa holders can support student visas for their children in limited cases. This includes situations where the student is:
Parents can also apply for a Guardian Visitor Visa if their child is studying in New Zealand, allowing them to stay and provide care.
Applicants must meet visa conditions, including proving partnership and dependency relationships, as part of the process.
Overall, the framework allows international students to bring their families to New Zealand, but access to work and study rights for dependents depends on the student’s course and eligibility criteria.
The rules allow international students to bring immediate family members, but eligibility varies based on qualification level and specific study conditions.
What visas can be supported
Students enrolled in any qualification can support visitor visas for their partner and children. These include the Partner of a Student Visitor Visa and Child of a Student Visitor Visa.
In certain cases, students may also support a work visa for their partner and student visas for dependent children. However, this depends on the course level and whether it meets specific criteria.
Visas issued to family members are typically aligned with the duration of the student’s visa.
When partners can get work visas
Students pursuing higher-level qualifications are eligible to support work visas for their partners. This includes those studying:
- Level 9 or 10 qualifications such as master’s or doctoral degrees
- Level 7 or 8 courses linked to jobs listed under New Zealand’s Green List
- Courses eligible for a Post Study Work Visa
- Certain qualifications under the long-term skill shortage list, if studies began before September 7, 2022
Rules for dependent children
Student visa holders can support student visas for their children in limited cases. This includes situations where the student is:
- Pursuing a PhD
- Studying under an approved exchange programme
- Receiving a government-funded scholarship administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Parents can also apply for a Guardian Visitor Visa if their child is studying in New Zealand, allowing them to stay and provide care.
Applicants must meet visa conditions, including proving partnership and dependency relationships, as part of the process.
Overall, the framework allows international students to bring their families to New Zealand, but access to work and study rights for dependents depends on the student’s course and eligibility criteria.
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