Moving to New Zealand rarely happens alone—partners and children typically accompany the primary visa applicant. Understanding how to include dependents in your immigration applications, what evidence is required, and how dependent visa rights work is essential for family immigration planning.
This guide explains how to bring your family to New Zealand across different visa categories.
Understanding Dependent Status
Who Qualifies as a Dependent?
Immigration NZ recognizes specific dependent relationships:
Partners: Married spouses or de facto partners in genuine and stable relationships.
Dependent Children: Children under 24 who are financially dependent on the parent applicant and don't have children of their own.
Other relationships (parents, siblings, grandchildren) generally don't qualify as dependents—they need their own visa pathways.
Principal vs Secondary Applicants
Principal Applicant: The primary person applying—the worker, student, or skilled migrant earning points.
Secondary Applicant/Dependent: Family members included in the principal's application. Their visa status is linked to the principal's.
Dependent visas typically mirror the principal's visa type and duration, though specific conditions may differ.
Partner Inclusion
Partnership Requirements
To include a partner, you must demonstrate a genuine and stable relationship:
Genuine: The relationship is real, not contrived for immigration purposes.
Stable: The relationship has permanence and commitment.
Living Together: You must be living together in a partnership (marriage or de facto).
Evidence of Partnership
Immigration NZ assesses relationships through evidence categories:
Joint Commitments:
- Joint bank accounts or financial obligations
- Joint property ownership or rental agreement
- Shared insurance policies
- Joint loans or debts
Living Together Evidence:
- Rental agreements or mortgage documents showing both names
- Utility accounts addressed jointly
- Mail received at shared address
- Pet ownership records
Relationship History:
- Photos together over time
- Travel records showing joint trips
- Communication records (if periods apart)
- Records from relationship milestones
Social Recognition:
- Statements from friends and family recognizing the relationship
- Wedding/civil union certificates if married
- Evidence of meeting each other's families
- Social media evidence of public relationship
Future Plans:
- Evidence of shared long-term planning
- Joint decisions about immigration, housing, careers
Relationship Duration
While there's no fixed minimum, longer relationships with substantial cohabitation are stronger:
Less Than 12 Months Living Together: May face additional scrutiny. Extra evidence recommended.
12+ Months Living Together: Generally demonstrates stability, though evidence of genuineness remains essential.
Previous Relationships: If either partner has previous visa-related relationships, this receives additional scrutiny.
Partner Work Rights
Partners included in applications typically receive:
Work Visa Partner: Open work visa—can work for any employer in any role. Very valuable for family income and career development.
Student Visa Partner: Open work visa in most circumstances.
Residence Application Partner: Same residence status as principal if application successful.
Including Children
Dependent Child Definition
To qualify as a dependent child:
Age: Generally under 24 years at time of application (verify current requirements as these can change).
Financial Dependency: Totally or substantially reliant on the parent for financial support.
No Children of Their Own: Doesn't have dependent children themselves.
Single: Not in a married or de facto relationship.
Children from Current Relationship
Children you have together with your current partner are straightforward to include. Evidence required:
- Birth certificates showing both parents
- Custody arrangements if relevant
Children from Previous Relationships
Children from previous relationships require additional considerations:
Sole Custody: If you have sole custody, you can include the child. Provide custody orders or evidence the other parent is not involved.
Shared Custody: If custody is shared with someone remaining overseas, getting consent from the other parent (or court orders) is typically required.
Other Parent's Agreement: Immigration may want to see the other parent consents to the child moving to New Zealand.
Adult Dependent Children
For children aged 18-24:
Proof of Dependency: Must demonstrate ongoing financial dependency—not just age eligibility.
Evidence Required: Financial support records, living arrangements, education enrollment if studying.
New Zealand Study: If adult children want to study in NZ, separate student visas may be more appropriate.
Dependent Applications in Different Categories
Work Visa Dependents
When you hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa:
Partner: Can be included for open work visa.
Children: Can be included with visa conditions matching yours.
Application Timing: Dependents can apply with you or join later once your visa is approved.
Student Visa Dependents
When you hold a student visa:
Partner Work Rights: Generally open work visa if you're studying at higher levels (degree or higher) or in shortage areas.
Children Education: May be eligible for domestic education fees depending on your study level and duration.
Application Process: Include dependents in your student visa application or apply separately once enrolled.
Skilled Migrant Category Dependents
For residence applications:
Partner: Included in SMC application and receives residence if approved.
Children: Included in SMC application with same outcome.
Family as Unit: Immigration assesses the whole family's health and character, not just principal applicant.
Investor and Entrepreneur Visas
Business immigration categories:
Partner and Children: Included in business immigration applications.
Partner Participation: Partners can work in the business or elsewhere.
Family Settlement: Family receives same residence rights as principal.
Timing Strategies
Applying Together
Advantages: Single application, coordinated processing, arriving together.
Considerations: All documentation must be ready simultaneously. One person's delays affect everyone.
Staggered Applications
Principal First: Principal applicant goes first; family follows once established.
Advantages: Find housing, start employment, settle before family arrives. May be smoother for some families.
Considerations: Time apart can be difficult. Partner must apply from offshore unless already in NZ.
Family Joining Later
If dependents weren't included initially:
Subsequent Application: Dependents can apply to join you after your visa is granted.
Evidence Requirements: Same relationship evidence applies.
Processing: Allow time for processing—don't book travel until visas are confirmed.
Health and Character for Dependents
Health Requirements
All dependents must meet health requirements:
Medical Examination: Partners and children over 15 need medical examination.
X-Rays: Chest x-rays for those 11 and over (with some country-based exceptions).
Health Conditions: Conditions affecting healthcare costs may require waiver.
Character Requirements
Partners must meet character requirements:
Police Certificates: Required from countries lived in as adults.
Character Declaration: Declaration regarding criminal history and immigration compliance.
Character Concerns: Criminal convictions or adverse immigration history require disclosure and assessment.
Children's Character
Age-Based: Children under certain ages may not need full character checks.
Older Children: Teenagers approaching adulthood need character assessment similar to adults.
Relationship Changes
If Relationships End
If relationships end while in New Zealand:
Dependent Status: Dependent visas may be affected if the relationship ends.
Own Visa: Partners may need to apply for their own visa if not remaining with the principal applicant.
Children: Custody and ongoing visa arrangements need consideration.
Seek Advice: Relationship breakdowns have immigration implications—get professional guidance.
New Relationships
If you form new relationships while in New Zealand:
Not Automatic: New partners don't automatically gain visa rights.
Separate Applications: New partners need their own visa applications.
Relationship Timing: Very new relationships face scrutiny—allow time for genuine relationships to develop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can same-sex partners be included as dependents?
Yes, New Zealand recognizes same-sex partnerships for immigration purposes on the same basis as opposite-sex relationships.
What if my partner can't meet English requirements?
For most dependent visas, partners don't have independent English requirements—they're included based on relationship with the principal. Residence may have different considerations.
Can I include my fiancé(e)?
For dependent visa purposes, you generally need to be living together in a partnership, not just engaged. Consider whether you're in a de facto relationship or whether marriage before application is appropriate.
What happens to my children's visas if I get permanent residence?
When you receive permanent residence, included dependent children also receive permanent residence. Their status matches yours.
Can my adult child (over 24) come too?
Generally no—the dependent child category has age limits. Adult children over the limit need their own independent visa pathways (work visa, study visa, residence if they qualify).
What if my partner has a criminal record?
Partners with criminal history must disclose this. Character assessment considers the nature and recency of offending. Some convictions may not prevent inclusion; serious convictions may.
Planning to bring your family to New Zealand? Find a licensed immigration adviser who specializes in family immigration to ensure your loved ones are included correctly.