---
title: Bringing Family
---

[Skip to content](https://centralotagoimmigration.co.nz/bringing-family#main-content)

[![image](https://centralotagoimmigration.co.nz/hubfs/image.svg "image")](https://centralotagoimmigration.co.nz/?hsLang=en)

- [Home](https://centralotagoimmigration.co.nz)
- [About](https://centralotagoimmigration.co.nz)
- [Book your Consult](https://centralotagoimmigration.co.nz/meetings/ariadne-cabral)
- [Services](https://centralotagoimmigration.co.nz/services)
- [Type of Visas](https://centralotagoimmigration.co.nz/visas)
- [Contact](https://centralotagoimmigration.co.nz/contact)

## Bringing Family

# Bringing Your Family to New Zealand

If you are coming to New Zealand to study or work, your visa may allow you to support visas for your partner and/or dependent children.

The options available depend on your visa type, your occupation, your salary and, for students, the qualification you are studying.

**Support kids**

- Student visa holder is PhD (or study under an exchange programme approved by the New Zealand Government or holder of a New Zealand scholarship administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.)
- Work visa holder is a job ANZSCO/NOL 1-3 or paid 1.5x median wage, or green list or care/transport work sector
- Other work visas (such as Partner of a Student Work Visa – minimum income threshold of $58,240/per annum)

**Support partner**

- Work visa holder is a job ANZSCO/NOL 1-3 or paid 1.5x median wage, or green list or care/transport work sector
- Student visa holder is: level 7 or 8 qualification the Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa list or the Green List or a degree level 9 or 10 qualification on the NZQF

**Full time work rights**

- Student PhD or masters by research
- Post study work visa
- AEWVS and other work visas

**Part time work rights**

- Studying English Language course: full-time programme of study of at least 24 teaching weeks duration or full-time English language study of at least 14 consecutive weeks duration at an education provider that is a university
- Full-time programme of study of at least two academic years’ duration; or
- Full-time programme of study, culminating in a New Zealand qualification at level four or higher on the NZQF

**Post-Study Work Visa**

- Qualification at level 8 to 10 on the NZQF that has been studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand; or
- Degree qualification at level 7 on the NZQF that has been studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand; or
- Qualification at level 4 to 7 on the NZQF that is specified on the list of Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa (Appendix 13) that has been studied full-time in New Zealand for the full duration required to obtain that qualification
- The holder of a student visa with work conditions is not permitted to work in self-employment
- Open work visa holder may be self-employed but cannot hire anyone
- Changes to Post Study work Visa and Student Visas coming in November 2026

**Fees and Funds for SV**

**Programmes less than 36 weeks:**

- at least NZ$1,667/month (less prepaid living expenses) for tertiary or non-compulsory education study; or
- at least NZ$1,417/month (less prepaid living expenses) for compulsory education study (i.e. primary/secondary).

**Programmes 36 weeks or longer:**

- they have NZ$20,000.00 per year available to maintain themselves during their stay in New Zealand (less prepaid living expenses) if they are undertaking tertiary or non-compulsory education study;
- they have NZ$17,000.00 per year available to maintain themselves during their stay in New Zealand (less prepaid living expenses) if they are undertaking compulsory education study

- Full payment of tuition fees for one year or one programme, whichever is shorter.

**Q&A**

**1. Q: What are the processing times and common reasons for delays or refusals?**

A: Visitor visas: not enough evidence of home ties, and bona fide (genuine intentions); Partnership-based: not enough living together evidence, i.e. not enough time living together. Student visa: funds and bona fide

**2. Q: Example: for truck drivers, carpenters, auto mechanic, healthcare workers, do we have a residence pathway?**

A: Depends when and what the occupation code is. For example, truck drivers were removed from the residence pathway (Transport Sector), and only those who met requirements on or before 6 April 2024 may be eligible. As for healthcare workers, it depends if their occupation is in the list of Care Workforce and if/since when they are paid the required wage (for example 24 months as a Nursing Support Worker being paid at least $28.25/h).

*This is a summarised version for a very basic guideline of most common scenarios. It does not substitute full policy nor can be interpreted as eligibility assessment.*

**Need help working out your options?**

Book a consultation with Central Otago Immigration to discuss your family's visa options and plan your next steps.

[![image](https://centralotagoimmigration.co.nz/hubfs/image.svg "image")](http://central-otago-immigration-hubspot-freecmstools.com)

LIVE YOUR DREAM

[facebook-square icon](https://www.facebook.com/centralotagoimmigration) [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/centralotagoimmigration) [Follow us on Facebook](mailto:info@centralotagoimmigration.co.nz) [Bookings](https://centralotagoimmigration.co.nz/meetings/ariadne-cabral?hsLang=en) [Follow us on Facebook](tel:+642102979267)

[![Central Otago Immigration on Business Directory NZ](https://businessdirectory.co.nz/platforms/businessdirectory/badge.svg)](https://businessdirectory.co.nz/listing/central-otago-immigration/)

Central Otago Immigration is operated by a Licensed Immigration Adviser in accordance with New Zealand immigration law and professional standards.

Copyright © 2024