Goodbye Short Stays: New Zealand Unveils a Game-Changing ‘Parent Boost’ Visa for 5-Year Family Visits
WELLINGTON, NZ – New Zealand is making it much easier for citizens and residents to spend meaningful time with their parents living overseas. The government has launched the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, a new long-term option designed to allow parents to visit their families for an unprecedented period of up to five years, with the flexibility of multiple entries.
The new visa, which opened for applications on September 29, 2025, marks a significant change from previous short-term visitor rules and is specifically aimed at strengthening family connections.
Five Years with an Option for Ten
The Parent Boost Visitor Visa allows eligible parents to stay in New Zealand for up to five years at a time. Crucially, it is a multi-entry visa, meaning parents can leave and re-enter New Zealand as many times as they want during that five-year period.
For families seeking an even longer connection, there’s an option to apply for a second five-year visa, allowing a potential total stay of up to ten years in the country.
- Key Distinction: Immigration officials have made it clear that this visa is a temporary visitor scheme and is not a pathway to permanent residence. It is intended solely for visiting family.
Who Can Apply and What’s Required
To qualify for this new extended stay, applicants must meet specific health, character, and financial criteria, and they must have a sponsor in New Zealand.
1. Sponsorship is Key:
- Applicants must be sponsored by their adult child (aged 18 or older) who is a New Zealand citizen or resident.
- Sponsors must meet a minimum income requirement (the median wage for one parent, and 1.5 times the median wage for joint sponsors) to ensure financial support for the parent’s entire stay.
2. Financial Flexibility: Parents can also meet the financial criteria themselves by either:
- Demonstrating a regular personal income that matches the rate of the New Zealand Superannuation benefit.
- Showing sufficient available personal funds (e.g., NZD $160,000 for a single parent or NZD $250,000 for a couple).
3. Health and Insurance Requirements:
- Applicants must meet an acceptable standard of health.
- They must purchase at least 12 months of acceptable comprehensive health insurance upfront and maintain this insurance for the entire duration of their stay in New Zealand.
Mid-Visa Compliance Check
To ensure the visa remains genuinely temporary, a compliance check is built into the process. Between the third and fourth year of the five-year visa, holders are required to temporarily leave New Zealand to complete this check. The review includes providing a new medical certificate and proof that they have continuously maintained their required health insurance.
Conclusion
The Parent Boost Visitor Visa represents a significant commitment by New Zealand to support family reunification for its citizens and residents. By offering a long-term, multi-entry option, it removes the stress and expense of continuous short-term visa applications. While it is not a path to residency, it provides an invaluable opportunity for families to share in key life moments and create lasting memories together over many years. For complete application details and to apply, visit the official Immigration New Zealand website, as linked below.
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Disclaimer
This report is based on information released by Immigration New Zealand (https://www.immigration.govt.nz/) regarding the Parent Boost Visitor Visa. Eligibility criteria, fees, and processing times are subject to change by the New Zealand government. Readers should always refer to the official Immigration New Zealand website and consult with a licensed immigration advisor for personalized guidance.
