In a significant move aimed at bolstering family connections and supporting the country’s skilled migrant workforce, the New Zealand Government has announced the launch of a new long-term visitor visa. The 'Parent Boost' visa, unveiled on June 8, 2025, will allow parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay in the country for up to 10 years.
A Strategic Step Toward Retaining Talent
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized that the new visa policy is part of a broader strategy to retain skilled migrants by addressing their family needs. By supporting long-term family reunification, the Parent Boost Visa is expected to make New Zealand more attractive to global talent while maintaining a sustainable immigration system.
A Long-Term Solution for Migrant Families
The Parent Boost Visa offers peace of mind to skilled migrants by enabling their parents to visit and stay for extended periods without becoming residents. The multiple-entry visitor visa permits an initial five-year stay, with the option to reapply for another five years, allowing a maximum stay of up to 10 years.
This policy provides families with greater flexibility and security while ensuring that public services remain sustainable. It is a visitor visa and does not lead to permanent residency, but it offers a meaningful alternative for families wishing to stay connected long-term.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the Parent Boost Visa, applicants must:
- Be the biological or adopted parent of a New Zealand citizen or resident.
- Have a sponsoring child who meets eligibility requirements and agrees to cover essential living, health, and potential repatriation costs.
- Meet New Zealand’s character and health standards.
- Demonstrate sufficient financial capacity or have a sponsor who meets the income threshold.
Applicants must satisfy at least one of the following:
- The sponsor must earn at least the New Zealand median wage (or 1.5 times the median wage for joint sponsors) to sponsor one parent. The required income increases by 0.5 times the median wage for each additional parent.
- The applicant has personal income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation:
NZD $32,611.28 per annum (single)
NZD $49,552.88 per annum (couple)
- The applicant has sufficient savings:
NZD $160,000 (single applicant)
NZD $250,000 (couple)
Health Insurance and Checks
To be eligible for the Parent Boost Visa, applicants must hold comprehensive health insurance throughout their stay in New Zealand. The policy must include:
- Emergency medical coverage of at least NZD $250,000 per year
- Repatriation costs
- Return of remains
- Cancer treatment coverage of at least NZD $100,000
- Maintaining valid health insurance for the full duration of the visit is mandatory.
In addition to insurance, applicants must undergo two medical assessments to demonstrate they meet New Zealand’s health standards. The first check is required at the time of the initial visa application. A second health assessment must be completed outside New Zealand in the third year of the visa. Applicants will also need to provide proof that they maintained continuous health insurance while in the country.
Cost of the Visa
The visa costs NZD $3,000 (standard fee)for most applicants and NZD $2,450 for the Pacific fee band. This includes immigration and levy fees. An additional NZD $100 is required for the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. The third-year health assessment incurs another processing fee—NZD $325 or NZD $240 for Pacific band applicants.
Visa Applications Open from September 29, 2025
Interested applicants can begin applying online through the Immigration New Zealand website starting 29 September 2025. Further details and documentation requirements will be released in the coming months.
Not a Pathway to Residence
The Parent Boost Visa is not intended as a route to permanent residence. Families interested in residency must apply through the Parent Category Resident Visa programme.
As New Zealand continues to fine-tune its immigration policies, the Parent Boost Visa reflects a growing recognition of the importance of family ties in attracting and retaining international talent.
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