- New Zealand will launch the Parent Boost Visa on 29 September 2025.
- The initiative aims to strengthen family ties for migrants.
- The visa allows temporary residents to bring their parents for extended stays.
Starting 29 September 2025, New Zealand will roll out a new visa initiative aimed at strengthening family ties for migrants. The Parent Boost Visa is designed to allow temporary residents to bring their parents for extended stays of up to a decade.
This new multiple-entry visa provides parents of New Zealand citizens or residents with the opportunity to remain in the country for up to five years at a time. After the initial period, a second five-year visa can be applied for allowing a total stay of 10 years subject to continued eligibility.
While the Parent Boost Visa allows long-term visitation, it does not offer a direct route to permanent residency. Migrants seeking a permanent solution must still apply through the Parent Resident Visa or the Parent Retirement Resident Visa programs.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must satisfy the following key conditions:
- Sponsorship: Applicants must be sponsored by a New Zealand citizen or resident.
- Health Insurance: A minimum of one year of comprehensive medical insurance is required, with emergency coverage of at least NZD 250,000.
- Medical Assessments:
An initial health screening is required at the time of application.
A follow-up health check must be conducted outside New Zealand during the third year of stay.
- Proof of Insurance: Continuous insurance coverage must be demonstrated throughout the parent’s stay.
Financial Requirements
To ensure financial sufficiency, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
The sponsoring individual must earn at least the median wage to support one parent, or 1.5 times the median wage for two parents if jointly sponsored.
- Alternatively, parents can qualify if they have a consistent income matching the New Zealand Superannuation rate either for a single individual or a couple.
- A third option is to show proof of savings: at least NZD 160,000 for an individual or NZD 250,000 for a couple.
- Visa Costs
- The standard application cost for the Parent Boost Visa is NZD $3,000, which includes both the immigration processing fee and associated levies. Applicants from the Pacific region may qualify for a reduced rate of NZD $2,450.
- Additional costs include a mandatory International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $100. After three years, visa holders must undergo a medical reassessment, with fees set at NZD $325 or NZD $240 for those on the Pacific fee band.
Long-Term Advantages for Families
The Parent Boost Visa provides a unique opportunity for families to spend extended time together in New Zealand far beyond what standard short-term visitor visas allow. It enables families to nurture stronger relationships, support elderly parents, and share in day-to-day life over a much longer period.
This visa is expected to significantly improve the quality of life for migrant families and enhance New Zealand’s attractiveness to skilled professionals seeking to establish long-term roots in the country.
In addition to the Parent Boost Visa, other available pathways include the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa for shorter stays, the Standard Visitor Visa, the Parent Resident Visa (limited to 2,500 places annually), and the Parent Retirement Resident Visa.
