Immigration New Zealand is introducing a new visa that could make it easier for families to spend more time together. The Parent Boost Visitor Visa, opening for applications on 29 September 2025, is designed to help parents of New Zealand citizens and residents enjoy extended visits with their loved ones.
What is the Parent Boost Visitor Visa?
This visa allows eligible parents to stay in New Zealand for up to five years, with the flexibility to travel in and out of the country during that time.
There’s also the option to apply for a second five-year visa, allowing for a total stay of up to ten years. However, it’s important to understand that this visa is strictly temporary – it does not lead to residence and is intended solely for family reunification.
Who can apply?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be outside New Zealand when applying and when the visa is granted.
- Meet health and character requirements.
- Be sponsored by an adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident.
- Demonstrate financial self-sufficiency or have sponsors who meet income thresholds.
- Hold suitable health insurance.
- Have no dependent children.
Once approved in principle, applicants must sign a declaration confirming they understand the visa’s temporary nature and agree to comply with its conditions.
Visa conditions and compliance
Successful applicants must arrive in New Zealand within six months of visa approval, with their five-year stay beginning from the date of first arrival.
Parents and their partners may travel separately. Between the third and fourth year, a compliance check is required, including a new medical certificate and proof of continued insurance.
Now, here’s where things get tricky
While the visa offers generous timeframes and flexibility, there are some complex and potentially burdensome requirements that applicants and sponsors need to be aware of.
There is no room for error when it comes to health. Applicants must meet a strict standard, and medical waivers are not available. For the initial visa, recent medical certificates may be reused if they meet the criteria, but for compliance checks and future applications, certificates must be no older than three months.
Insurance is another critical area. Applicants must maintain comprehensive health insurance throughout their stay, with minimum coverage for:
- emergency medical care
- cancer treatment
- repatriation
- return of remains.
Failure to maintain this coverage could result in visa cancellation or ineligibility for future visas.
This requirement, while understandable from a policy perspective, may prove challenging for some families – especially those navigating international insurance markets or where pre-existing medical conditions may make the cost of obtaining this insurance excessive.
Financial support and sponsorship
Applicants must show they can support themselves financially in one of three ways:
- Sponsor’s income: a single sponsor must earn at least the median wage; joint sponsors must meet higher combined thresholds, with additional requirements for multiple parents.
- Parent’s income: regular income at or above the New Zealand Superannuation rate.
- Parent’s funds: at least NZD $160,000 for a single parent or NZD $250,000 for a couple, with funds genuinely belonging to the parents.
These thresholds are significant, and while they aim to ensure applicants won’t rely on public services, they may exclude families who are otherwise well-positioned to host their parents.
The central role of sponsorship also means adult children must be prepared to take on legal and financial responsibilities, which may not be feasible for everyone.
Not sure where to begin? We’ll guide you through it
The Parent Boost Visitor Visa is a positive step toward helping families reconnect and spend meaningful time together. However, the strict health, insurance, and financial requirements mean that not all families will find the process straightforward.
If you’re considering applying – or sponsoring a parent – it’s essential to understand the full scope of the requirements and plan accordingly.
Even if parents may not qualify for the Parent Boost category, there may be other visa pathways that could allow them to stay in New Zealand longer term. At Lane Neave, we frequently assist families with long-term planning and strategising –especially for parents who wish to eventually join their adult children living in New Zealand.
Whether it’s exploring alternative visitor visas, residence options, or staged migration strategies, our immigration lawyers are here to help you understand the possibilities and plan your future accordingly.
Get in touch today to discuss your situation and take the next step toward reuniting with your family in New Zealand.
