Parent Boost Visitor Visa - A New Visa Route for Parents in New Zealand
- Prajesh N
- Jun 10
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
New Zealand is introducing a new visa category aimed at making family time easier for migrants and their parents. The new Parent Boost Visitor Visa will give eligible parents of residents and citizens the chance to stay in the country for longer than what was previously allowed. With a stay period of up to five years per visa, it is seen as a more flexible way for families to spend meaningful time together.
Current Paths for Parents to Enter New Zealand
Currently there are only a few ways for parents to come to New Zealand. Most of them were either short-term or involved strict entry limits.
The Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa was one of the main options. It allowed multiple short visits, but those visits were capped at six months at a time. Over three years, parents could not exceed 18 months of total time in the country.
There was also the standard Visitor Visa. This could be used for general visits, including tourism or seeing family. The Visitor Visa may allow a stay of up to 6 months in each 12‑month period for multiple-entry holders, or up to 9 months in an 18‑month period under a single-entry visa.
For families wanting their parents to stay more permanently, there were residency routes. The Parent Resident Visa lets parents live in the country long-term, but this visa has a fixed number of spots each year, which creates long wait times. Then there was the Parent Retirement Resident Visa. This required a large financial investment from the parent, as well as a minimum income, making it an option that only worked for those with significant resources.
Overall, none of these paths gave parents an easy way to live close to their children in New Zealand for extended periods without jumping through major hoops.
What the Parent Boost Visitor Visa Offers
This new visa is designed to offer a better experience for parents and their families. It opens on 29 September 2025, and brings with it some clear changes compared to what was in place before.
Longer Visits, Fewer Interruptions
The biggest difference with the Parent Boost Visitor Visa is how long it allows someone to stay. One visa grants a stay of up to five years, and applicants can apply again for another five-year term. That adds up to a total of ten years if approved both times.
It is important to note that this is not a residency visa. Parents who use it will still be considered temporary visitors. They will need to return home once the stay limit is reached, unless they qualify for and apply under a different visa route.
Who Can Apply
To apply, the parent must have a child living in New Zealand who is a citizen or a resident. That child acts as the sponsor. The sponsor has to agree to support the parent while they are in New Zealand, including providing housing, day-to-day expenses, and if needed, paying for return travel or healthcare costs.
Also, the parent must meet certain health and character standards. These are similar to what is needed for other long-stay visas, including undergoing a medical assessment.
Funding Requirements
Applicants need to show that either they or their sponsor has enough money to support the visit. There are three possible ways to meet this:
If the sponsor earns at least the national median wage, they can support one parent. If supporting more than one parent, the income requirement goes up.
If the parent applying earns an amount that is the same as the standard New Zealand pension, that also qualifies. That is currently NZD $32,611 for a single person or $49,553 for a couple.
The third option is having savings. A single parent would need NZD $160,000. A couple would need at least NZD $250,000.
These checks are there to make sure visitors will not need government help during their stay.
Medical Cover and Health Rules
One key part of this visa is private health cover. Parents must have medical insurance in place before arriving. That insurance must include things like emergency treatment, hospitalisation, cancer care, and repatriation. The insurance must be valid for at least a year when they enter, and it needs to stay valid for the entire time they are in New Zealand.
There is also a second health check required in the third year of the visa. This must be done while the parent is overseas. They must also show proof that they have held health cover for the full time they have been in the country.
Failing to meet these rules could mean not being able to apply again, or even facing removal from the country.
How Much Does It Cost
The main application fee is NZD $3,000, though some applicants from the Pacific region will pay a lower rate of $2,450. On top of that, everyone must pay the NZD $100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy fee, which helps with conservation and tourism services.
In the third year, applicants must pay a separate fee to process their health check. That costs NZD $325, or $240 for Pacific applicants.
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