Photo credit: Tourism NZ Visual Library
The New Zealand Government has announced a new long-term visitor visa designed to reunite families and strengthen New Zealand’s appeal to highly skilled migrants: the Parent Boost Visitor Visa. This visa offers a unique opportunity for parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to visit their families for up to five years at a time, with the possibility of a second visa extending their stay to ten years, provided all eligibility requirements continue to be met.
This new visa aims to foster family connections while ensuring that public services are not overstressed. Importantly, the Parent Boost Visitor Visa does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residence. For those seeking residency, the Parent Resident Visa remains the appropriate pathway.
Eligibility criteria
To qualify for the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, applicants must:
- Have an eligible sponsor (their biological or adopted child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident).
- Demonstrate good character and meet residence-level health standards.
- Maintain comprehensive health insurance throughout their stay in New Zealand.
- Sponsors are responsible for covering essential costs, including accommodation, living expenses, health care, and any potential repatriation costs.
Applicants must also meet financial criteria:
- The sponsor’s income must meet at least the New Zealand median wage (1.5 times for joint sponsors) for one parent, with additional requirements for more parents, or
- The parent(s) must have a personal income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation (currently NZD $32,611.28 p.a. for singles and NZD $49,552.88 for couples), or
- Hold sufficient personal funds (NZD $160,000 for singles and NZD $250,000 for couples).
Health insurance requirements
Parents must hold health insurance that covers:
- Emergency medical care (minimum NZD $250,000 per year).
- Cancer treatment (minimum NZD $100,000).
- Repatriation and return of remains.
Applicants will be required to undertake an initial health check at application and a second health check in the third year of the visa while outside New Zealand.
Fees and application process
- Visa fee: NZD $3,000 (standard) or NZD $2,450 (Pacific fee band).
- International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy: NZD $100.
- Third-year health check fee: NZD $325 (standard) or NZD $240 (Pacific fee band).
Applications will open on 29 September 2025.
Note: The Parent Boost Visitor Visa is for temporary stays only and does not provide a pathway to residence. For permanent residence, explore the Parent Resident Visa or the Parent Retirement Resident Visa.
Need guidance on the Parent Boost Visitor Visa or other family visa options? Contact us at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com for expert advice.
