Immigration officials in New Zealand have done away with Student visas for dependent kids below 5 years. With immediate effect, dependent kids below 5 years will now only be offered the Visitor visas. The children below 5 years who are now offered the Visitor visas cannot attend schools on through this visa. Overseas immigrants who have dependent kids below 5 years must carefully plan so that their kids can obtain the Student visas by the time they turn 5 years. This will enable the kids to attend school on time.
Overseas immigrants residing in New Zealand with children below 5 years will be affected by this new rule. Firms in New Zealand must bring this issue with overseas employees having kids, as quoted by the Lexology. This will help the overseas immigrants to prepare for applying to the Student visas as the kids approach their 5th birthday.
Until now, Student visas were offered to kids in New Zealand provided they turned 5 years during the visa validity. This policy has been now revised by the Immigration New Zealand and kids below 5 years will now be offered the Visitor visas.
Children with Visitor visas in New Zealand cannot attend the primary schools. They will, however, remain eligible for Preliminary Childhood Education. It offers a maximum of free childcare for 20 hours per week. This is available for kids in the age range of 3 to 5 years irrespective of their status of the New Zealand visa.
Overseas nationals planning to immigrate to New Zealand with kids must update themselves with this change. They must ensure that they obtain the New Zealand Student visa for their kids by the time they attain 5 years of age.
If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to New Zealand, contact Y-Axis, the world’s most trusted Immigration & Visa Consultant.