Temporary Visa - Active from Today.

As of today, Immigration New Zealand is introducing this new visa, which will make it easier for families to spend more time together. 

The Parent Boost Visitor Visa opens for applications on 29 September 2025 and is designed to help parents of New Zealand citizens and residents enjoy extended visits with their family. However, it’s important to understand that this visa is strictly temporary – there is no pathway to residence.

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. 

Applications

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.

Health compliance is non-negotiable, with all applicants having to 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:

1. 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.
2. Parents’ income: regular income at or above the New Zealand Superannuation rate.
3. Parents’ 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.

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, it’s essential to understand the full scope of the requirements and plan accordingly.