A Big Step Toward Family Reunification
New Zealand has always been a dream destination for migrants, thanks to its stunning natural beauty, excellent healthcare system, and strong economy. However, one significant challenge was the ability for migrant parents to join their families for extended periods. To address this issue, the New Zealand government has introduced the Parent Boost Visa. This revolutionary long-term visitor visa allows the parents of citizens and residents to stay in New Zealand for up to 10 years.
Announced by Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, this visa is designed to strengthen the country’s commitment to family values while managing the long-term sustainability of its immigration and healthcare systems. It offers new hope to thousands of families who have struggled to reunite for more than a few months at a time under the existing short-term visitor options.
What is the Parent Boost Visa?
Launched officially on 29 September 2025, the Parent Boost Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa that allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay in the country for up to five years at a time. After the initial five-year period, eligible applicants can apply for one more five-year visa, enabling a total stay of up to 10 years.
This visa is not a pathway to permanent residency but is instead aimed at offering long-term companionship and support to families without adding pressure to New Zealand’s healthcare and social welfare systems.
Objectives of the Parent Boost Visa
The Parent Boost Visa serves several long-term policy goals:
- Family reunification: One of the primary goals is to enable elderly parents to stay close to their children and grandchildren, offering emotional and practical support during crucial life stages.
- Supporting skilled migration: By easing long-term visitation restrictions for parents, New Zealand aims to attract more skilled migrants who may otherwise choose other countries with more inclusive family policies.
- Economic sustainability: Carefully designed income and insurance requirements aim to ensure that the visa does not place additional strain on New Zealand’s public health or social systems.
- Cultural connectivity: For many cultures, especially in Asia and the Pacific, multigenerational households are the norm. This visa respects and supports those cultural values.
Eligibility Criteria
- Sponsorship
Applicants must be sponsored by their child, who must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. The sponsor must be at least 18 years old and demonstrate the ability to financially support the parents. The sponsor will be legally responsible for:
- Meeting the parent’s living expenses in New Zealand
- Providing appropriate accommodation
- Ensuring the parent leaves New Zealand if their visa expires or is cancelled
- Covering costs associated with repatriation, if needed
Joint sponsorship is also allowed, typically involving the sponsoring child and their partner or another close relative.
- Financial Capability
Applicants must meet at least one of the following financial conditions:
- Sponsor income-based support:
- The sponsor must earn at least the median wage in New Zealand (around NZD $69,800 per year for one parent).
- For joint sponsorship or for bringing two parents, income must be at least 1.5 times the median wage.
- Parent income eligibility:
- The parents themselves must have an independent income that matches or exceeds the current New Zealand Superannuation rate, which is approximately:
- NZD $32,611/year for single individuals living alone
- NZD $49,553/year for couples
- The parents themselves must have an independent income that matches or exceeds the current New Zealand Superannuation rate, which is approximately:
- Parental savings-based eligibility:
- If income requirements are not met, applicants can show they have sufficient savings:
- At least NZD $160,000 for a single parent
- At least NZD $250,000 for two parents
- If income requirements are not met, applicants can show they have sufficient savings:
These financial checks are crucial in ensuring the parents do not rely on public assistance or healthcare.
Health Insurance Requirements
To protect New Zealand’s public health resources, all Parent Boost Visa applicants must maintain private health insurance for the duration of their stay. Insurance must remain valid at all times during the visa period. Failure to maintain adequate coverage may result in visa cancellation or affect eligibility for future applications.
Additional Health and Character Checks
Applicants are also required to:
- Undergo a standard character check (e.g., police clearance)
- Pass a full medical examination at the time of application.
- Complete a second medical check in the third year, which must be done outside New Zealand before applying for the second visa term.
This “cool-off period” was implemented to ensure long-term stays do not result in permanent reliance on public healthcare facilities.
A Comparison With the Parent Resident Visa
It’s important to differentiate the Parent Boost Visa from the Parent Resident Visa, which offers permanent residency but has a very long processing queue, limited annual quotas, and even higher income requirements for sponsors. The Parent Boost Visa is seen as a shorter-term, more flexible alternative, although without a path to citizenship.
Important Dates to Remember
- Policy Announced: June 8, 2025
- Applications Open: September 29, 2025
- Third-Year Health Check: This must be completed offshore before applying for the second 5-year term.
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