12/06/2025
On 8 June 2025, the New Zealand Government announced a new visa category designed to support family reunification and offer greater flexibility to migrants wanting their parents to spend extended time with them in Aotearoa. The Parent Boost Visitor Visa will be open for applications from 29 September 2025.
At Lochan Legal, we see this as a significant development in immigration policy—one that balances the emotional needs of migrant families with the country’s economic and public health priorities.
Overview: What is the Parent Boost Visa?
The Parent Boost Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa that allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay for up to 5 years, with the possibility of applying for a second 5-year visa, offering up to 10 years of cumulative stay.
This visa is not a pathway to residence, but it offers a meaningful alternative for families who don’t meet the stringent criteria of residence-based parent visa categories.
Key Benefits
✅ Five-year stay with multi-entry rights
✅ Option to apply for a second visa (up to 10 years total)
✅ No English language requirement
✅ Flexible financial eligibility (sponsor income, parent income, or parent assets)
✅ Remote work permitted if for an overseas employer
✅ Study allowed for up to 3 months per year
✅ Supports strong family ties without burdening public healthcare
Eligibility Criteria
1. Sponsorship
Applicants must be sponsored by their biological or adopted child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident. Joint sponsorship is permitted with:
• A partner, or
• An adult sibling of the NZ-based child
Sponsors must agree to support the parent(s) throughout the visa duration, including accommodation, daily needs, and costs related to repatriation or deportation if necessary.
2. Financial Requirements
Applicants must satisfy one of the following:
• Sponsor’s income: At least the New Zealand median wage (currently $29.66/hour) or 1.5x the median if joint sponsors; with additional income required for more than one parent.
• Parent’s income: Equivalent to NZ Superannuation (currently $32,611.28 for a single parent and $49,552.88 for a couple, annually).
• Parent’s savings: At least NZD $160,000 for a single parent or NZD $250,000 for a couple.
Offshore funds and income sources can be counted, including rental income, pensions, dividends, and investments.
Health & Insurance Requirements
• Applicants must pass a health check upfront and again in Year 3, conducted offshore.
• They must maintain valid health insurance during their entire stay. This must include:
Failure to maintain health insurance may result in visa cancellation or deportation liability, and could affect eligibility for future visas.
Fees and Processing Times
• Visa fee: NZD $3,000 (standard) or NZD $2,450 (Pacific fee band)
• Tourism levy: NZD $100
• Mid-visa health check fee (Year 3): NZD $325 (or NZD $240 for Pacific fee band)
Processing times are estimated at up to 4 months, depending on demand and individual circumstances.
Conditions and Limitations
• This visa does not lead to residence.
• Parents must depart New Zealand in Year 3 for a health reassessment.
• Visa holders can:
Parents wishing to remain beyond 5 years must reapply from offshore. Remaining in NZ after visa expiry will result in deportation liability.
Our Thoughts at Lochan Legal
The Parent Boost Visa provides a welcome middle ground between short-term visitor options and the limited Parent Resident Visa ballot. It allows migrant families the dignity of regular, meaningful time with their parents—without risking overstay or rule breaches.
However, with its financial, health, and sponsorship obligations, it is crucial to approach these applications strategically and with professional guidance.
