New Visa Opens Doors for Parents to Join Families in New Zealand

Applications for the new Parent Boost Visitor Visa will open on September 29, 2025, offering parents of New Zealand citizens and residents an opportunity to spend extended time with their families. This visa allows eligible parents to reside in New Zealand for up to five years, with the option to leave and re-enter multiple times. A second five-year visa may also be granted, enabling a total stay of up to ten years.

Immigration New Zealand has clarified that this visa does not provide a pathway to permanent residence but aims to enhance family connections. Applicants must adhere to all visa regulations, utilize the visa strictly for temporary visits, and ensure they leave New Zealand prior to the visa’s expiration.

Eligibility and Application Process

To qualify for the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, applicants must meet several specific criteria. They need to apply from outside New Zealand, both at the time of application and when the visa is granted. Furthermore, applicants must fulfill character and health requirements, be sponsored by an adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident, and demonstrate sufficient funds or income to support their stay.

Additionally, they must show genuine ties to their home country. Once an application is approved in principle, they are required to provide evidence of 12 months of acceptable insurance and sign a declaration acknowledging the visa’s temporary nature. Immigration New Zealand has warned that failing to comply with these requirements could lead to visa cancellation or deportation.

It is important to note that parents with dependent children are ineligible for this visa. Upon approval, parents must enter New Zealand within six months. The five-year duration begins from their first entry date, not from the visa approval date. During the visa period, holders can travel freely, and partners can make separate travel arrangements.

Health Insurance and Financial Requirements

Between three and four years into their stay, visa holders must leave New Zealand to undergo a compliance check. This includes obtaining a fresh medical certificate and demonstrating that their insurance has been consistently maintained. All applicants must meet an acceptable health standard, as no medical waivers will be considered. Medical certificates from the past 12 months may be reused for the first visa application, but new certificates must be provided for the compliance check and for any subsequent visa applications.

Insurance is mandatory throughout the stay, requiring applicants to secure at least 12 months of coverage upfront after receiving approval in principle. The insurance must meet specific minimum coverage requirements, including NZD $250,000 for emergency medical care per year, NZD $100,000 for cancer treatment, NZD $250,000 for repatriation, and NZD $50,000 for the return of remains. Failure to maintain insurance could result in visa cancellation, deportation, or ineligibility for future Parent Boost Visitor Visas or Parent Resident Visas.

To prove financial self-sufficiency, parents or their sponsors must meet one of three criteria:

1. **Sponsor’s Income**: A single sponsor must earn at least the median wage to support one parent. If there are joint sponsors, they must have a combined income of at least 1.5 times the median wage (NZD $104,707.30). Each additional parent requires an extra 0.5 times the median wage (NZD $34,902.40).

2. **Parent’s Income**: A single parent must have ongoing income equivalent to the single rate of New Zealand Superannuation (NZD $32,611.28 before tax). A couple must have a combined income equal to the couple rate (NZD $49,552.88 before tax).

3. **Parent’s Available Funds**: A single parent must possess at least NZD $160,000, while a couple must have at least NZD $250,000. The funds must genuinely belong to the parents; borrowed or gifted money is not permissible.

Sponsors must be adult children aged 18 or over who are New Zealand citizens or residents. Joint sponsorship is allowed and may involve an adult child and their partner, two adult children (siblings), or one adult child of the parent and one adult child of the parent’s partner. Immigration New Zealand emphasizes the importance of sponsors in ensuring that visa holders receive adequate support during their stay, thereby maintaining the sustainability of the program.

With the introduction of the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, families in New Zealand can look forward to longer reunions, allowing them to create lasting memories together.