New Zealand is set to launch a new visa initiative aimed at helping migrant families stay connected by introducing a long-term visitor visa for parents of temporary residents. Known as the Parent Boost Visa, the scheme will take effect from September 29, 2025.
The visa allows eligible parents to stay in New Zealand for up to 10 years. Initially, it grants a five-year stay, with the option to apply for a second five-year term if the applicant continues to meet eligibility criteria. Designed as a multiple-entry visa, it provides a flexible solution for extended family reunification, particularly supporting skilled migrants.
However, the visa does not offer a direct pathway to permanent residency. Those interested in settling permanently will still need to apply through other available avenues such as the Parent Resident Visa or the Parent Retirement Resident Visa.
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To qualify, applicants must be sponsored by a New Zealand citizen or resident. They are also required to have at least one year of comprehensive health insurance covering emergency medical care up to NZD 250,000. Health checks are mandatory both during the initial application and again in the third year of their stay, and proof of continuous insurance coverage must be maintained.
Applicants must also meet financial requirements, which can be fulfilled in several ways. Sponsors must earn at least the median wage to support one parent, or 1.5 times that amount to support two. Alternatively, the parent(s) may qualify based on a steady income equivalent to the New Zealand Superannuation rate or demonstrate savings of at least NZD 160,000 for a single applicant or NZD 250,000 for a couple.
The application costs NZD $3,000, which includes both the immigration fee and levy. Those eligible under the Pacific fee band will pay a discounted rate of NZD $2,450. An additional NZD $100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy is also required. A follow-up health assessment after three years will cost NZD $325 for most applicants, or NZD $240 for Pacific applicants.
The Parent Boost Visa offers significantly longer stays than traditional visitor visas, allowing families more time to care for aging parents, strengthen familial bonds, and build lasting connections in New Zealand. It also complements existing visa pathways for parents and grandparents, which are often limited by annual quotas.