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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.

Supporting your partner

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to support your partner for a work visa or visitor visa.

For example, work visa holders may be able to support their partner where they:

  • Work in an eligible ANZSCO/NOL Level 1–3 occupation;
  • Meet the applicable wage threshold;
  • Work in an eligible Green List occupation; or
  • Work in an eligible care or transport sector occupation.

Students may also be able to support their partner where they are studying an eligible qualification, including certain Level 7 or 8 qualifications, Green List qualifications, or Level 9 or 10 degrees.

Supporting your children

The rules for supporting dependent children are different from the rules for partners.

For example, certain student visa holders may be able to support visas for their children if they are studying a PhD or meet other specific criteria.

Some work visa holders may also be able to support their dependent children, depending on their occupation, wage and visa conditions.

Work rights for students

Some student visa holders have the right to work while studying.

Depending on the course and visa conditions, this may include:

  • Full-time work rights for certain PhD or Master’s by research students;
  • Part-time work rights for students undertaking certain qualifying programmes; and
  • Other work rights specified by the student visa conditions.

Post-Study Work Visa

After completing eligible study in New Zealand, you may be able to apply for a Post-Study Work Visa.

Eligibility depends on the qualification, level of study, how long you studied in New Zealand and whether your qualification is included in the applicable eligibility requirements.

Planning to bring your family?

Immigration rules can be complicated, particularly where a family has different visa types or where eligibility depends on the student's qualification, the worker's occupation or their salary.

Before making plans, it is important to check the requirements that apply to your specific circumstances.

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.

This is general information only and does not constitute immigration advice or an assessment of eligibility. Immigration requirements can change, and individual circumstances must be considered.