New Zealand has announced a new long-term visitor visa to unite family members and to enhance New Zealand’s appeal to skilled immigrants. 

The newly introduced multiple-entry Parent Boost Visa allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to visit for up to 5 years.  Applicants can also apply for a second visa, extending their visit for up to 10 years, provided they meet all the eligibility requirements. 

This Visa is introduced to help maintain a healthy family connection without stressing public services. 

This Visa does not offer a pathway to residency but instead a meaningful way to keep loved ones close. 

Eligibility Requirements for Parent Boost Visa

The basic requirements that are to be met to be eligible for the Parent Boost Visa are:

• Demonstration of good character 
• Meet the acceptable health standard (as per the standard for residence)

The other crucial requirements are:

Sponsorship requirement

You must have an eligible sponsor who is:

• Your biological or adopted child
• A citizen or resident of New Zealand

The sponsor should be aware and take on full responsibility for the full duration of the visa, including:

• Essential cost coverage (accommodation and living costs)
• Ensuring access to healthcare and financial support
• Covering deportation or repatriation costs, if required.

Financial Requirements

Applicants need to satisfy at least one of the following requirements:

• The sponsor has to have an income of at least the New Zealand median wage (or 1.5 times the median wage for joint sponsors) to sponsor 1 parent, with the figure increasing by 0.5 times the median wage for further parents being sponsored. 

OR

• The parent(s) have an individual income of the same amount as New Zealand Superannuation at present, of NZD 32,611.28 gross annually for a single parent and NZD 49,552.88 for a couple

OR

• Parent(s) must have adequate personal funds: NZD 160,000 for one applicant or NZD 250,000 for a couple.

Health Requirements

All applicants must hold at least one year of health insurance that covers:

• Medical emergencies (minimum NZD 250,000/year)
• Return of remains
• Cancer treatment (minimum NZD 100,000)
• Repatriation (if required)

Applicant must maintain a valid health insurance during the entirety of their stay. 

Please note – Failure to maintain a valid health insurance for the duration of your stay can impact a person’s eligibility for future visas, including residency under the Parent category. In other cases, it can also result in visa cancellation or make a person liable for deportation. 

Applicants are also required to pass two health checks to ensure that they are of a satisfactory level of health. 

The initial health check is done as part of the initial visa application. Applicants also need to obtain a second health check in the third year of the visa while outside New Zealand. 

They will have to provide evidence of having had valid health insurance during their time in New Zealand.

Parent Boost Visa Fees

• The visa fee will be charged at NZD 3,000 for the majority of applicants and NZD 2,450 for those who are eligible for the Pacific fee band. This is for both the immigration fee and levy.
• A fee of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of NZD 100 must also be paid by visa applicants.
• In the next 3 years, there is a third-year health check processing fee of NZD 325 for most individuals, or NZD 240 if they qualify for the Pacific fee band.
• Visa Applications will begin on 29th September 2025 – further information regarding the process will be announced closer to this time.

Not a PR Pathway

It is important to understand that the Parent Boost Visa is a visitor visa whose sole purpose is to unite family members and not provide a pathway to residency. 

Applicants seeking permanent residency should consider applying for the Parent Category Residency Visa.