New Zealand to launch five-year ‘parent boost’ visitor visa

New Zealand has announced a new long-term visitor visa to help unite families and enhance the country’s appeal to highly skilled migrants.

The parent boost visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa that allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to visit for up to five years. Applicants may apply for a second visa, enabling a total stay of up to 10 years, provided they continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

This visa is designed to support family connections without placing additional strain on public services. It is not a pathway to residence, but it does offer a meaningful way for families to spend time together over the long term.

The visa will cost NZD 3,000 ($1,815) for most applicants and NZD 2,450 for applicants eligible for the Pacific fee band. This includes both the immigration fee and levy. 

Applicants will also be required to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of NZD 100.

After three years, there is an additional processing fee for the third-year health check of NZD 325 for most people, or NZD 240 if eligible for the Pacific fee band.

Applications will open on September 29, 2025.

Applicants must meet one of the following financial criteria: the sponsor earns at least the New Zealand median wage (or 1.5 times the median wage for joint sponsors) to sponsor one parent, with the amount increasing by 0.5 times the median wage for additional parents being sponsored; or the parent(s) have a personal income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation currently NZD 32,611.28 gross per annum for a single parent and NZD 49,552.88 for a couple; or the parent(s) have sufficient personal funds: NZD 160,000 for a single applicant or NZD 250,000 for a couple.

Applicants must hold at least one year of health insurance that covers emergency medical care (minimum NZD 250,000 a year), repatriation, return of remains, cancer treatment (minimum NZD 100,000).

They must also maintain valid health insurance for the entire duration of their stay in New Zealand.