The New Zealand Government has introduced a new long-term visitor visa to help families spend more time together and make it easier for skilled migrants to have their parents visit for more extended stays.
According to Immigration New Zealand (INZ), the new Parent Boost Visa allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay in the country for up to five years on a multiple-entry visitor visa. Applicants who meet all eligibility requirements may apply for a second visa, extending their stay to ten years.
Eligibility and Sponsorship Requirements
To be eligible for the Parent Boost Visa, applicants must meet character and health standards similar to those required for residence. Applicants must also be sponsored by a biological or adopted child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Sponsors are required to take full financial responsibility during the parents’ stay. This includes covering essential costs such as accommodation, daily living, health and financial support access, and any fees associated with repatriation or deportation, if necessary.
Financial Criteria and Insurance Obligations
Applicants must satisfy one of three financial conditions:
The sponsor must earn at least the median wage (or 1.5 times the median wage for joint sponsors) for one parent. The income threshold increases by 0.5 times the median salary for each additional parent.
The parent or parents must have an income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation, currently set at NZD 32,611.28 for a single parent or NZD 49,552.88 for a couple.
Alternatively, they may show sufficient personal funds—NZD 160,000 for a single applicant or NZD 250,000 for a couple.
Applicants must also hold at least one year of health insurance covering emergency medical care (minimum NZD $250,000 annually), repatriation, return of remains, and cancer treatment (minimum NZD $100,000). This insurance must be maintained throughout the visa.
Failure to maintain valid health insurance may affect future visa applications and lead to visa cancellation or deportation.
Health Assessments and Visa Costs
Applicants will undergo two health assessments: one during the initial application process and a second in the third year of the visa while outside New Zealand. Proof of continuous health insurance coverage will also be required.
The visa fee is NZD $3,000 for most applicants and NZD $2,450 for those eligible for the Pacific fee band. This includes both the immigration fee and levy. An additional NZD $100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy also applies.
After three years, a second health check is required. The processing fee is NZD $325 or NZD $240 for those eligible for the Pacific fee band.
Not a Pathway to Residency
The Parent Boost Visa does not provide a pathway to permanent residency. It is intended solely for extended visits. For those seeking permanent residence in New Zealand, options such as the Parent Resident Visa, which is capped at 2,500 places annually, or the Parent Retirement Resident Visa, remain available.
Other options for parents include the standard Visitor Visa or the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa for shorter stays.
Applications for the Parent Boost Visa will open on September 29th, 2025. It is stated that more details on the application process will be released closer to that date.
