New Zealand is an exceptionally beautiful and safe country, renowned for its pristine natural beauty and welcoming culture. It boasts a diverse and vibrant population, with people from all over the world choosing to call it home. International students who come to study in New Zealand and international workers on New Zealand Work Visa are often amazed by the quality of education and the supportive environment that they encounter. They are also attracted by the opportunity to live in a country that offers a high standard of living, a relaxed pace of life, and a stunning natural landscape.
For those students and workers who wish to bring their families with them to experience everything that New Zealand has to offer, there are a range of family visas available. These visas provide an excellent opportunity for family members to work or study in New Zealand while enjoying the many benefits of living in this peaceful and prosperous country.
If you are considering applying for a New Zealand Family visa, it is crucial to go through a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA). LIAs possess the necessary authority and expertise regarding New Zealand visas and are well-informed about Immigration New Zealand policies. For assistance with your New Zealand family visa application, you can reach out to West Highlander. Ms Parwinder Kaur, the Director, is an LIA and a proficient New Zealand Visa consultant. This article has been crafted under her guidance.
New Zealand Family Visa 2024 – Types and Eligibility
There are various New Zealand Family Visa 2024 available. These visas facilitate the reunion of individuals working or studying in New Zealand with their families. The specific types of New Zealand Family Visa are mainly determined by the type of visa held by the sponsor or primary applicant. Family members of New Zealand Visa holders can seek a Visitor Visa, Work Visa, Student Visa, or Resident Visa based on their relationship with the visa holder and their qualifications for a specific visa category.
For Family members of New Zealand Visa holders, there are several options available to them based on their individual circumstances and needs. If they wish to visit their loved ones in New Zealand, they can apply for a Visitor Visa, allowing them to spend time together and explore the beauty of the country.
Alternatively, if they are interested in working in New Zealand, they can apply for a Work Visa, which may open up opportunities for employment and career growth. Lastly, if the family members wish to make New Zealand their permanent home, they can explore the possibility of applying for a Resident Visa, granting them the right to live and work in the country indefinitely.
It is important for family members to carefully consider their options and choose the visa category that best suits their needs and aspirations. By understanding the different visa types available, they can make informed decisions that will enable them to create memorable experiences and build a fulfilling life in New Zealand alongside their loved ones.
Family of New Zealand Student Visa: Types and Eligibility
International students with a New Zealand student visa have the option to bring their family members to New Zealand. Depending on the family member’s visa type, they can visit, work, or study in New Zealand. Also, another factor which plays a major part in deciding the type of visa for family members is the course of the New Zealand student visa holder. Below is a list of visas available for family members of New Zealand Student Visa holders:
Spouse Work Visa: The partner of the New Zealand Student Visa holder can apply for a dependent spouse work visa in New Zealand. This is only possible if their partner can support their application and the duration of this visa is of the same length as the student visa of the partner. The best part about this visa category is that there is no requirement for an offer letter. The eligibility criteria for this visa are as follows:
- Work Experience
- Relevant Qualification
- Genuine Relationship
- Living Together Condition
- Program of Partner: This visa is only for spouses of international studying any Level 9 or 10 qualifications or a Green List Level 7 or 8 qualifications.
Spouse Visitor Visa: The spouses of Student visa holders can also opt for a visitor visa in New Zealand. The partner on this visa can stay in New Zealand for the same duration as their Student visa. They can also study in New Zealand for up to 3 months but cannot work. The eligibility conditions for this visa are:
- Genuine Relationship
- Living Together Condition
- Funds to support themselves in New Zealand
Dependent Child Visitor Visa: This visa allows the children of international students studying in New Zealand to join them. They can study for up to 3 months in New Zealand. The eligibility criteria for a Dependent Child Visitor Visa are:
- Age: Must be under 19 years
- Program of Parent: The parent on a student visa must be studying a qualification at level 9 or 10 of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. The level 9 program must be a research-based Master’s program.
Dependent Child Student Visa: International students studying in New Zealand can also bring their child to New Zealand on a Dependent Child Student Visa. On this visa, the child can study at primary or secondary school in New Zealand at the same fees as domestic students. The eligibility standards are:
- Age: Must be between 5 and 19 years
- Program of Parent: The parent on a student visa must be studying a qualification at level 10 or Level 9 research-based Masters.
Family of New Zealand Work Visa Holder: Visa Types and Eligibility
People working in New Zealand on a New Zealand Worker Visa can support various visa applications of their family members. But if you are on one of these types of work visas in New Zealand then you cannot support any of the visa applications.
- Fishing Crew Work Visa
- Working Holiday visa
- Limited visa under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) or Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE) schemes
- Silver Fern Job Search Visa
- Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa
Normally on a work visa, the worker can support these types of applications of their family members:
Partner Visitor Visa: Spouses of Work visa holders in New Zealand can choose to apply for a visitor visa as well. The partner under this visa can reside in New Zealand for the same period as their Student visa allows. They are permitted to study in New Zealand for a maximum of 3 months but are not allowed to work. To qualify for this visa, the following conditions must be met:
- Genuine Relationship
- Living Together Condition
Partner Work Visa: The partner of the New Zealand Work Visa holder can seek a dependent spouse work visa in New Zealand, provided their partner endorses their application. The visa duration matches the partner’s student visa length. To qualify for this visa, applicants need to meet the following criteria:
- Work Experience
- Relevant Qualification
- Genuine Relationship
- Living Together Condition
Dependent Child Visitor Visa: This visa enables the offspring of international workers working in New Zealand to accompany them. The children can pursue studies for a maximum of 3 months in New Zealand. The requirements for a Dependent Child Visitor Visa include:
- Age: Should be below 19 years
Dependent Child Student Visa: International students studying in New Zealand have the option to bring their child to the country on a Dependent Child Student Visa. Under this visa, the child can attend primary or secondary school in New Zealand at the same tuition fees as domestic students. The eligibility criteria include:
- Age: Between 5 and 19 years old
Family of New Zealand AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa): Visa Types and Eligibility
International workers in New Zealand on AEWV can bring their family members to New Zealand. They can support different visa applications depending on the relationship they share. The family members can visit, work or study in New Zealand depending on the visa type. There are two factors which play a crucial part in deciding the family member’s visa type:
- Salary of the Worker in New Zealand
- Whether their job role is on the Green List or not
Below is the list of visas that can be granted to family members of New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa holders:
Partner Visitor Visa: This visa allows spouses of New Zealand Work Visa holders to visit them and stay in New Zealand for the same length as their partner’s work visa. Workers can apply for this visa even if they earn below the median wage in New Zealand. The eligibility requirements for this visa type are:
- Genuine Relationship
- Living Together Condition
Spouse Open Work Visa: This visa type allows the partners of AEWV holders to work in New Zealand. The advantage of open work visa is that the spouse on this visa can work with any employer and there is no pay requirement. The eligibility for this visa type majorly depends on the job of the AEWV holder:
- Earn at least twice the median wage
- Or Green list role, fulfil green list requirements and earn at least a median wage
Spouse Work Visa with Condition: the partner on this visa type can work in New Zealand but with some conditions. The eligibility for this visa type is:
- AEWV Holder earning a median wage but less than the double of the median wage
The conditions attached to this visa type are:
- Spouse can only work with an Accredited Employer
- Earn at least median wage in New Zealand
- Cannot be Self-employed
These were the types of visas you can sponsor for your family while studying or working in New Zealand.
Family of New Zealand Resident Visa holder: Types of Visa
Additionally, as a citizen or resident with a New Zealand Resident Visa, you can also support different visa applications for your family members. Below is a list of family visas you can endorse:
- Partner Visitor Visa
- Partner Resident Visa
- Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
- Dependent Child Visitor Visa
- Dependent Child Resident Visa
- Parent Retirement Resident Visa
- Parent Resident Visa
- Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa
Whether you are looking to join your family already settled in New Zealand or planning to bring your loved ones to this beautiful country, there are visa options available to cater to your specific needs. The New Zealand Family Visa not only facilitate reunification but also promotes the importance of family values and connections. These visas are designed to ensure that families can stay together, grow together, and create lasting memories in a supportive and diverse community.
The diverse range of family visa options offered by New Zealand reflects the country’s commitment to embracing multiculturalism and recognizing the significance of family bonds in shaping individuals’ lives. From parent visas to partner visas, New Zealand provides avenues for families to build a strong foundation and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. Through these visa options, New Zealand continues to uphold its reputation as a compassionate and family-friendly destination, where families can flourish and create a brighter future together.