Can dependents work in New Zealand?

Yes, dependents can work in New Zealand if they have a separate visa. In New Zealand, an applicant’s partner must have an individual passport to work and study there. However, adding a dependent to the student visa is impossible. They can, however, apply for a work visa based on being the applicant’s dependent. 

 

Suppose a New Zealand work visa holder can apply for a dependent visa, allowing their partner to live and work in New Zealand. The process for acquiring a dependant visa as a partner or a child visa as a holder will depend on the type of work visa your partner holds and the length of their visa.

 

Visas that allow Dependent to work in New Zealand

New Zealand Partner Work visa

This visa is for a spouse or de facto, usually for applicants who want to accompany their partner who is a holder of a work visa.

 

There are two types of visas for Spouses: 

• Partnership-based open work visa: They can work with their partner in the country with a separate work visa
• Partnership-based Visitor visa: This visa allows the partner to join the partner while on a New Zealand Work visa.

 

Dependent Children

The Dependent Child Resident visa allows dependent children to study or work in the country. If they are 18 years or older, including the 2021 Resident visa as a dependent child, they can work up to 20 hours a week through a Part-time work visa.

 

There are two types of Dependent Children of New Zealand work visa holders:

 

• Dependent child student visa
• Dependent child visitor visa

 

Partners of a Student Work Visa

This visa allows partners to work in New Zealand if they have a partner legally studying at an eligible level of 7 or 8 or any level of 9 or 10 qualifications.

 

Parent Retirement Resident Visa

This visa allows Parents to live and work-study in New Zealand permanently if they have a child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident.

 

New Zealand Work visas that allow supporting dependants

Certain work visa conditions will enable an applicant to support a work, visitor, or student visa for their family.

There are two types of New Zealand work visa through which New Zealand work visa holder can support their dependent such as:

 

Accredited Employer Work Visa holders:

AEWV holders earn the median wage or above and can support partner work visas. If they earn below the median salary, they can only support a visitor visa for the partner. Accredited Employer Work Visa holders could only support visitor or student visas for dependent children if they meet the income threshold.

 

Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV):

 

Essential Skills Work Visa holders must earn below the median wage to support their partners on a visitor visa. Only those who meet certain income requirements can support work or visitor visas for their partners and visitor or student visas for dependent children.

 

*Want to work in New Zealand? Talk to Y-Axis for complete guidance.

 

Requirements to apply for a New Zealand Dependent Visa

Below are the given requirements to apply for a New Zealand dependent visa:

 

• Prove a stable relationship with the partner
• Partner supports the application
• Supporting 'partnership-based temporary entry class visa applications
• Your partner must hold a New Zealand student visa to study for a level 7 or higher qualification
• Prove that you have NZD 4,200 funds for your stay in New Zealand
• Proof of health and character certificate
• Proof of English proficiency   

 

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