Parent Boost Visa - Enabling Parents To Stay Longer In New Zealand
- Bernhard Kreber
- Jul 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 14
The new Parent Boost Visa enables parents who have a New Zealand citizen or resident child to stay longer in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Government announced that it will open a new visitor visa category - the Parent Boost Visa - on 29 September 2025. While Immigration New Zealand has not yet published specific immigration policies for this visa, the following is a summary of what BK Immigration Law NZ knows about the Parent Boost Visa.
Parents of New Zealand citizens and residents can soon apply for a 5-year multiple entry visitor visa called the Parent Boost Visa. Additionally, they may even apply for a second Parent Boost Visa, enabling a total stay of up 10 years. Of course, there are eligibility criteria which parents must meet before Immigration New Zealand will approve a Parent Boost Visa application.
Eligibility Criteria For Parent Boost Visa Applicants
Parents must be:
Of good character and have an acceptable standard of health
Sponsored by their New Zealand citizen or resident child, who must cover specific responsibilities for the duration of the Parent Boost Visa, including:
Essential costs for accommodation and living
Access to medical care and financial support
Costs related to repatriation or deportation, if required
Holding at least one year of health insurance, which they must maintain for the entire time of their visit in New Zealand. Health insurance must cover:
cancer treatment (minimum $100,000)
emergency medical care (minimum $250,000 a year)
repatriation
return of remains
Meeting one of the following financial requirements:
The sponsor must earn at least the New Zealand median wage ($69,804.80 per annum). This amount increases by 0.5 times for each additional parent, or
The parent(s) have a personal income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation, currently $32,611.28 gross per annum for a single parent, and $49,552.88 for a couple, or
The parent(s) have sufficient personal funds: $160,000 for a single parent and $250,000 for a couple
Other Considerations With The Parent Boost Visa
Whilst health checks are undertaken with the initial application for a Parent Boost Visa, a second health check is required in the third year of the Parent Boost Visa. Parents must undertake this health check from outside of New Zealand. Parent Boost Visa holders must also proof that they held valid health insurance while visiting New Zealand.
The cost of a Parent Boost Visa application is $3,100 and $2,450 for a parent from the Pacific Island. There is an additional processing fee of $325 when Immigration New Zealand assesses the second health and insurance check.
The Parent Boost Visa is a visitor visa. This means that parents cannot study or work in New Zealand. It is not clear yet whether Parent Boost Visa holders will be able to work remotely for an overseas employer.
The Parent Boost Visa does not offer any pathway to residence. This means that parents will eventually have to return to their home country unless they qualify for residence visas under the Parent Category or the Parent Retirement Category.
Reach out to BK Immigration Law if you have any questions about the Parent Boost Visa or want to find out if your parents are eligible to apply for a New Zealand resident visa.
