What is a domestic student?

In New Zealand, a “domestic student” is a child who is allowed to study at a New Zealand primary or secondary school without paying international fees.

They have the same rights as New Zealand citizens and residents when it comes to public education, but they don’t have to be citizens or residents themselves.

Many children of temporary visa holders — such as work or student visa holders — may qualify for this status under certain conditions.

Why is this important?

If your child is not considered a domestic student, they are treated as an international student. That means:

• They need to apply for a full international student visa
• You must pay international tuition fees, often $12,000 to $20,000 per year
• They may have limited access to public schooling options

Getting domestic student status can save families thousands of dollars per year — and also simplifies the overall immigration process.

Who qualifies for domestic student status?

Children may be classed as domestic students if their parent or legal guardian is:

• A New Zealand citizen or resident
• In New Zealand on a work visa that meets certain conditions
• A PhD or masters level international student at a recognised institution
• On some other types of temporary visas where policy allows dependent children to study as domestic students

It’s important to check both the type of visa and the conditions attached. Just holding a work or student visa doesn’t automatically make your child eligible.

Common scenarios that qualify

• Accredited Employer Work Visa holders

If you earn above a certain income threshold and your job is full-time and long-term, your children may qualify as domestic students.

• Post-study work visa holders (after certain qualifications)

Depending on your field of study and job offer, your child may still qualify under work visa-linked domestic student policy.

• PhD and master’s students

If you’re studying a PhD or master’s at a recognised New Zealand institution, your children are likely to be treated as domestic students.

• Partners of New Zealanders

If you’re in a relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident and hold a visa based on that relationship, your children may be eligible — even if they weren’t born in New Zealand.

What about younger children?

Domestic student policy applies to primary and secondary school students. For children under 5, early childhood education (ECE) centres may still charge fees, but some subsidies are available depending on your visa.

If your child is under 5, they won’t be classified as a student — but you can still include them in your application or apply for a visitor visa for them to remain with you in New Zealand.

Can my child attend a public school?

Yes — if they qualify as a domestic student, they can attend public schools just like local children.

You can:

• Enrol them in your local zoned school
• Apply for schools outside your zone (depending on availability)
• Access learning support, ESOL services, and more

Private schools are also an option, but domestic student status mostly affects fees for public schooling.

What if I change visas?

If your visa changes, your child’s domestic student eligibility may change too.

For example:

• If you move from a work visa to a visitor visa, your child may lose domestic status
• If you switch to a visa that doesn’t support dependent children, you may need to apply for a different visa for them

This is a common oversight — especially for parents changing from post-study work visas or during partnership visa transitions.

It’s important to review your family’s visa strategy before making changes.

Mistakes to avoid

• Assuming all children qualify — not every work or student visa lets your child become a domestic student
• Applying for a student visa when a dependent child visa would be better — this can cost more and limit access to public schools
• Forgetting income thresholds — for some work visa holders, your income must meet a set level to qualify
• Overlooking school zones and timing — securing a school place can take time, especially in popular areas
• Assuming eligibility continues after a visa change — policy changes and visa switches can disrupt schooling plans

Why choose Visa Matters?

We’ve helped many families secure the right visa path so their children can go to school in New Zealand without stress or unexpected costs. Education is one of the biggest decisions for any family, and getting it wrong can be expensive.

We can:

• Confirm whether your visa qualifies your child as a domestic student
• Help apply for the correct visa — dependent child, visitor, or student visa
• Anticipate issues if your visa is likely to change in the future
• Support school enrolment documents with accurate visa timelines
• Guide you if your family situation involves shared custody, blended families, or children approaching age cutoffs

Your child’s education deserves more than guesswork.