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Immigration New Zealand ( immigration.govt.nz) has announced the introduction of the Parent Boost Visitor Visa , set to open for applications on 29 September 2025. This new visa is designed to allow parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to spend extended time with their families, offering a stay of up to 5 years with the flexibility to leave and re-enter New Zealand multiple times during that period. Eligible parents may also apply for a second 5-year visa, enabling a total stay of up to 10 years.

Visa eligibility and application process
To qualify for the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, applicants must:

• Be outside New Zealand at the time of applying and granting of the visa.
  
• Meet character and health standards.
  
• Be sponsored by an adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident.
  
• Have sufficient funds or income to support their stay, or have a sponsor who meets income requirements.
  
• Prove they are genuine visitors with ties to their home country.
  

Upon approval, applicants must provide evidence of 12 months of acceptable insurance and sign a declaration confirming they understand the visa is for temporary stays only. The applicants must comply with all conditions, and leave New Zealand before the visa expires. Non-compliance may lead to visa cancellation or deportation.

Once granted, the visa holders are required to arrive in New Zealand within six months of approval. The five-year stay begins from the date of first arrival. After three years, but before 4 years, visa holders must leave New Zealand and complete a compliance check, including submitting a new medical certificate and proof of maintained insurance.

Health and insurance requirements
Applicants must meet an acceptable standard of health to avoid undue pressure on New Zealand’s health system. Medical certificates from the past 12 months may be reused for the first visa if they meet the required standard, but new certificates no older than 3 months are required for the mid-visa check and second visa. Medical waivers are not considered.

The applicant’s mandatory insurance must cover:

• Emergency medical care: NZD 250,000 per year
  
• Cancer treatment: NZD 100,000 per year
  
• Repatriation: NZD 250,000
  
• Return of remains: NZD 50,000
  

Insurance must be maintained for the entire stay, with 12 months purchased upfront after approval in principle. Evidence must be provided within three months of approval. Failure to maintain acceptable insurance may result in visa cancellation or ineligibility for future visas.



Financial and sponsorship requirements

• Sponsor’s income: A single sponsor must earn at least the median wage. Joint sponsors need a combined income of at least 1.5 times the median wage (NZD 104,707.20) for one parent, with an additional NZD 34,902.40 for each extra parent.
  
• Parent’s income: A single parent needs an annual income of NZD 32,611.28 (aligned with New Zealand Superannuation single rate), while a couple requires NZD 49,552.88 (couple rate).
  
• Parent’s funds: A single parent must have NZD 160,000, and a couple NZD $250,000 in available funds, which cannot be borrowed or gifted.
  

Sponsorship is a key requirement, with sponsors being adult children (aged 18 or older) who are New Zealand citizens or residents. Joint sponsorship is permitted, including an adult child and their partner, two siblings, or one adult child of each parent in a couple.

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