In a significant move to support family reunification and strengthen the country’s appeal to skilled migrants, the New Zealand Government has unveiled the Parent Boost Visa – a long-term visitor visa aimed at helping families spend more quality time together.
This new visa category will allow parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay for up to five years at a time, with the opportunity to reapply and extend their stay to a maximum of 10 years, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
While the Parent Boost Visa does not offer a pathway to residency, it’s designed to facilitate extended family visits without placing extra pressure on the public system.
For those interested in permanent residency, the Parent Resident Visa remains the primary option.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the Parent Boost Visa, applicants will need to:
- Be of good character
- Meet New Zealand’s standard health requirements (equivalent to those for residence visas)
- Satisfy one of the financial requirement options
- Have an eligible sponsor in New Zealand
Sponsorship Details
Applicants must be sponsored by a biological or adopted child who is either a New Zealand citizen or resident. Sponsors must accept responsibility for their parent’s:
- Daily living expenses such as accommodation
- Costs associated with repatriation or deportation, if necessary
- Ensuring access to health and financial support
Meeting Financial Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following financial criteria:
- Sponsor income-based: The sponsor must earn at least the median New Zealand wage to support one parent. For joint sponsors, the income must be at least 1.5 times the median wage. Additional parents require an extra 0.5 times the median wage per person.
- Applicant income-based: The parent(s) must earn a personal income equivalent to NZ Superannuation – currently NZD $32,611.28 gross per annum for a single parent, or NZD $49,552.88 for a couple.
- Savings-based: The parent(s) must show personal funds of NZD $160,000 for a single applicant or NZD $250,000 for a couple.
Health Insurance & Medical Checks
Applicants are required to hold comprehensive health insurance for at least 12 months upon arrival, covering:
- Emergency medical care (minimum NZD $250,000)
- Repatriation
- Return of remains
- Cancer treatment (minimum NZD $100,000)
Ongoing insurance coverage must be maintained throughout the visa’s validity. Failing to do so could affect future visa eligibility or lead to cancellation and deportation.
Health assessments are mandatory at two points:
- During the initial application
- In the third year of the visa (which must be completed outside New Zealand)
Proof of continuous health insurance must also be provided.
Application Fees
- Visa fee: NZD $3,000
- Tourism levy: NZD $100 (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy)
- Third-year health check: NZD $325
Launch Date
Applications for the Parent Boost Visa will open on 29 September 2025. Further details and the full application process will be made available closer to the date.
Important Notes
- The Parent Boost Visa is strictly a visitor visa – it does not lead to permanent residence.
- Parents looking to immigrate permanently should consider applying under the Parent Resident Visa, which is capped at 2,500 places per year.
Other Visa Options for Parents
Temporary options:
- Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa
- General Visitor Visa
Residence options:
For families separated by distance, the Parent Boost Visa offers a welcome opportunity to reconnect over the long term. While it’s not a route to residence, it provides the flexibility and duration many families have been hoping for.
If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, then get in touch
