New Zealand will introduce a new long-term visa option called the Parent Boost Visa starting 29 September 2025, designed to help migrant families stay together.
The visa allows parents of temporary residents to stay in the country for up to 10 years, with an initial five-year period that can be renewed for another five years if eligibility requirements continue to be met.
This multiple-entry visitor visa aims to support skilled migrants by enabling extended family reunification, though it does not provide a direct path to permanent residency.
To qualify for the Parent Boost Visa, applicants must meet several requirements. They need to be sponsored by a New Zealand citizen or resident and obtain comprehensive health insurance covering at least NZD 250,000 for emergency care.
Health assessments are mandatory during the application process and again in the third year of stay, which must be completed outside New Zealand.
Financial eligibility can be demonstrated through different options, including the sponsor’s income, the parent’s own income matching New Zealand Superannuation rates, or sufficient savings of NZD 160,000 for single applicants or NZD 250,000 for couples.
The visa application costs NZD $3,000, which includes the immigration fee and levy, while applicants under the Pacific fee band pay a reduced fee of NZD $2,450. An additional International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of NZD $100 applies. After three years, visa holders must complete another health check costing NZD $325 for most applicants or NZD $240 for those under the Pacific band.
By offering significantly longer stays than standard visitor visas, the Parent Boost Visa allows families more time to care for elderly parents and strengthen family bonds in New Zealand. It complements existing visa options for parents and grandparents, including short-term visitor visas and limited-quota residency pathways.
This initiative reflects New Zealand’s effort to balance family reunification with immigration controls, providing stability for families while maintaining necessary safeguards.
