Immigration Update - New Zealand's Parent Boost Visa

08th June 2025

New Zealand’s Parent Boost Visa: A new way to keep families close

If you're living in New Zealand and dreaming of spending more quality time with your parents, there’s good news on the horizon. The New Zealand Government has unveiled the Parent Boost Visa—a long-term visitor visa designed to reunite families and strengthen connections, while continuing to attract highly skilled migrants who value family life. This visa will be an ideal option for families who need support raising young children, or for parents living on their own in their home country.

What is the Parent Boost Visa?

This new multiple-entry visa allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay for up to 5 years at a time. Better yet, applicants can apply for a second visa—extending their stay to a total of 10 years, as long as they continue to meet eligibility criteria.

While the Parent Boost Visa is not a pathway to residence, but it will be a much better option for families who felt that a 6-month visitor visa (under the parent/grandparent visitor visa category) was not long enough.

For those wanting to live in New Zealand permanently, the Parent Resident Visa or Parent Retirement Resident visa remain available.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for the Parent Boost Visa, applicants need to:

• Be in good health and of good character
• Be sponsored by a child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident
• Meet financial and health insurance requirements

Sponsorship – what’s involved?

The sponsor (your child in New Zealand) must:

• Be your biological or adopted child

• Commit to supporting you while you're in New Zealand by:

° Covering living and accommodation costs
° Helping with health or financial support if needed
° Paying for return travel or repatriation, if necessary

Financial requirements – three flexible options

Applicants need to meet just one of the following:

Sponsor’s Income

Your child earns at least the New Zealand median wage (or 1.5x the median wage for joint sponsors). Additional parents require a higher income threshold.
Your Own Income

You have a steady personal income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation:

• NZD $32,611.28 (single)
• NZD $49,552.88 (couple)
Savings

You hold:

• NZD $160,000 (single)
• NZD $250,000 (couple)

Health insurance – A must-have

You’ll need at least 1 year of valid health insurance when applying. This must include:

• Emergency medical cover (minimum NZD $250,000/year)
• Repatriation and return of remains
• Cancer treatment (minimum NZD $100,000)

You’ll also need to maintain this insurance for the entire duration of your stay. Failing to do so may affect your ability to get future visas—or worse, result in cancellation or deportation.

Medical checks – a two-stage process

Applicants must complete two health checks:

Initial medical exam when applying
Follow-up exam outside of New Zealand in the third year of the visa

You’ll also need to show proof of continuous health insurance coverage.

Costs and Application Date

• Visa fee:

° NZD $3,000 (standard)
° NZD $2,450 (Pacific fee band)

• Tourism Levy: NZD $100

• Health check (Year 3):

° NZD $325 (standard)
° NZD $240 (Pacific fee band)

Applications open 29 September 2025 — more information on how to apply will be released closer to the date.

A Word of Caution

Remember, this visa is not a route to permanent residence. If long-term settlement in New Zealand is your goal, you should look into the Parent Resident Visa and submit an expression of interest under that category, or the Parent Retirement Resident Visa.

Bringing Families Together

The Parent Boost Visa is a wonderful step forward for families wanting to stay connected across borders. Whether it's helping with grandchildren, being part of milestone celebrations, or simply enjoying life together, this visa opens doors to making long-term visits possible.

Sarah Caulton, Senior Associate
sarah@mcmillanco.nz