Enrolment of students living unlawfully in New Zealand
This page contains useful information for parents whose children live in New Zealand unlawfully and wish to enrol their children as domestic students in a state or state-integrated school.
This information has been updated and it reflects the changes to the Domestic Student Criteria for children who live unlawfully in New Zealand.
Recent changes to the eligibility criteria
The first change is that the definition of "long stay" is no longer based on the period of time that the child has been living unlawfully in New Zealand. The period of time will still be six months, but it will not matter whether they were in New Zealand lawfully or unlawfully during that six-month period. The child must be unlawfully in New Zealand at the time of the application.
The second change is that it is no longer a requirement for parents to be unlawfully in New Zealand at the time of the application. Application can be made if the child is unlawfully in New Zealand at the time of the application (and living with a parent).
Please use the application form [Word; 121kb] to apply for assessment of your child’s eligibility to enrol as a domestic student*.
The application will need to show that your child is unlawfully in New Zealand, and that:
* Domestic student who held either a student permit or visa issued under the Immigration Act 1987, or a limited purpose permit granted under the Immigration Act 1987 for study purposes while immigration status is being determined.
International students and holders of some visa types are not eligible under this policy.
Enrolment procedure for children unlawfully in New Zealand
To apply for assessment of your child’s eligibility to enrol as a domestic student, an application form must be filled out for your child, and taken or posted to the nearest Ministry of Education office. To understand the enrolment process, please read Information about enrolment of children and young persons who are residing unlawfully in New Zealand [PDF; 253kb] before completing the application form [Word; 121kb]
Local office contacts
For further information
If you have any questions about the enrolment process or need help in filling out the form, you can contact either your local school or your nearest local Ministry of Education office:
Whangarei: (09) 436 8900
Auckland: (09) 632 9400
Hamilton: (07) 858 7130
Rotorua: (07) 349 7399
Napier: (06) 833 6730
Whanganui: (06) 349 6300
Lower Hutt (04) 463 8699
Nelson: (03) 546 3470
Christchurch: (03) 378 7300
Dunedin: (03) 471 5200
Invercargill: (03) 211 8000