The New Zealand Government has introduced the Parent Boost Visa, a new long-term visitor visa to help unite families and attract skilled migrants. Applications will open on September 29, 2025.
This multiple-entry visa allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to visit for up to five years, with the option to apply for a second visa that can extend their stay to a total of 10 years, provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
Designed to strengthen family ties without adding pressure on public services, the Parent Boost Visa does not provide a pathway to residence. However, it offers families a meaningful way to spend extended time together.
The visa fee will be NZD 3,000 for most applicants and NZD 2,450 for those eligible for the Pacific fee band, with an additional International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of NZD 100. There is an ongoing requirement to maintain valid health insurance while in New Zealand, which will vary in cost depending on the applicant.
Eligibility and Sponsorship Requirements
To be granted a Parent Boost Visa, applicants must demonstrate good character, meet an acceptable standard of health, and satisfy specific sponsorship and financial criteria. The sponsor must be a biological or adopted child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident and must agree to cover essential costs, ensure access to health and financial support, and cover costs related to repatriation or deportation if needed.
Financial Criteria
Applicants must meet one of the following financial requirements:
- The sponsor must earn at least the New Zealand median wage (or 1.5 times the median wage for joint sponsors) to sponsor one parent, with the amount increasing by 0.5 times the median wage for additional parents.
- The parent(s) must have personal income equivalent to the New Zealand Superannuation, NZD 32,611.28 gross per annum for a single parent and NZD 49,552.88 for a couple.
- The parent(s) must have sufficient personal funds, NZD 160,000 for a single applicant or NZD 250,000 for a couple.
Health Insurance and Assessments
Applicants must hold health insurance covering emergency medical care (minimum NZD 250,000 annually), repatriation, return of remains, and cancer treatment (minimum NZD 100,000). This insurance must be maintained throughout the duration of the visa. Failure to maintain valid health insurance could affect eligibility for future visas, including residence under the Parent Category, and may result in visa cancellation or deportation.
Applicants must undergo two health assessments, one during the initial visa application and a second in the third year of the visa while outside New Zealand. Proof of valid health insurance will also be required at that time. There is a processing fee for the third-year health check of NZD 325 for most applicants or NZD 240 for those in the Pacific fee band.
Visa Conditions and Processing
The Parent Boost Visa is a multi-entry visitor visa, allowing parents to come and go from New Zealand throughout their visa period. However, parents must leave New Zealand during the third year for their second medical assessment.
Applications will open on September 29, 2025, with an estimated processing time of four months, depending on the completeness of the application and demand for the visa. Due to the relative complexity of the requirements, these applications will take longer to assess than standard visitor visas.
Not a Pathway to Residence
The Parent Boost Visa is strictly a visitor visa and does not provide a pathway to residence. Those seeking permanent residence should consider submitting an expression of interest under the Parent Category Resident Visa.
