Guardian Visitor Visa: parents accompanying a child studying in New Zealand

Is your child studying in New Zealand on a student visa, and do you want to live with them and care for them? The Guardian Visitor Visa is for a parent or legal guardian of a child who holds a current NZ student visa — the child must be 17 or younger, or enrolled in school years 1–13.

A few useful points:

• INZ issues only one guardian visa at a time, even if you have more than one child studying in New Zealand.
• Your stay matches the child’s student visa. You must live with and care for the child, and plan to leave New Zealand when your stay ends.
• Grandparents and other relatives are not legal guardians unless legally recognised. A partner or other children who come with you need their own visas.
• Funds: at least NZD $1,000 per month, or NZD $400 per month if accommodation is already paid.
• By default you cannot work in New Zealand (remote work for an overseas employer or client is OK). You may apply for a Variation of Conditions for part-time work 9:30am–2:30pm Monday–Friday, or for longer part-time study.
• Study of up to 3 months in any 12-month period does not need a VoC.
• Fee from NZD $441; published INZ guidance: about 80% decided within ~7 weeks (guidance only, not a guarantee).
• From 1 October 2026, applications for this visa must be made online — paper applications are no longer accepted.

If you need a hand, BeVisa can help you check eligibility and documents before you apply.