The Parent Boost Visitor Visa opens for applications on 29th September 2025. It has been designed to help parents of New Zealand citizens and residents spend extended time with their families.
This visa allows eligible parents to:
- Stay in New Zealand for up to 5 years on a single visa.
- Leave and re-enter New Zealand freely during that period.
- Apply for a second 5-year visa, allowing for a total stay of up to 10 years.
It is important to note that this visa is not a pathway to residence – it is designed purely for extended visits with family.
Eligibility
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be outside New Zealand when applying and when the visa is granted.
- Meet character and health standards (no medical waivers available).
- Be sponsored by an adult child (18+) who is a New Zealand citizen or resident.
- Show sufficient income or funds to support themselves – or rely on a sponsor’s income.
- Have no dependent children.
- Demonstrate they are genuine visitors who will leave New Zealand at the end of their visa.
Health & Insurance Requirements
Applicants must meet an acceptable standard of health, supported by medical certificates.
- For the first visa, recent medical certificates (up to 12 months old) may be reused.
- For the mid-visa compliance check (after 3–4 years) and any second visa, a new medical certificate (less than 3 months old) is required.
Mandatory insurance is required for the full duration of stay.
Minimum cover levels include:
- NZD $250,000 per year for emergency medical care
- NZD $100,000 per year for cancer treatment
- NZD $250,000 for repatriation
- NZD $50,000 for return of remains
At least 12 months of insurance must be purchased after approval in principle and evidence provided within 3 months.
Failure to maintain insurance can lead to visa cancellation or deportation.
Financial Requirements
Applicants must show financial self-sufficiency through one of the following:
- Sponsor’s income
- Single sponsor: at least the median wage to support 1 parent.
- Joint sponsors: 1.5 × median wage for one parent, plus 0.5 × median wage for each additional parent.
- Parent’s income
- Single parent: equivalent to NZ Superannuation single rate (currently NZD $32,611.28/year before tax).
- Couple: equivalent to the couple rate (currently NZD $49,552.88/year before tax).
- Parent’s funds
- Single parent: NZD $160,000.
- Couple: NZD $250,000.
Borrowed or gifted funds are not accepted.
Sponsorship
- Sponsors must be adult children (18+) who are NZ citizens or residents.
- Joint sponsorship is permitted, including combinations such as:
- An adult child and their partner
- Two adult children (siblings)
- One adult child of the parent and one adult child of the parent’s partner.
Sponsors are responsible for ensuring visa holders are supported throughout their stay.
Application Process
- Applications open 29 September 2025.
- Applicants first receive an approval in principle.
- Evidence of acceptable insurance must then be provided within 3 months.
- Applicants must enter New Zealand within 6 months of approval – the 5-year period begins on first arrival.
- A mid-visa compliance check is required between years 3 and 4, including a medical update and proof of ongoing insurance.
This visa provides an important new way for families to spend meaningful time together in New Zealand – without creating a pathway to permanent residence.
If you want to find out more about this option to join your adult children in New Zealand, then get in touch.
