New Parent Boost Visa to Unite Families
On 8 June 2025, the Government announced a new long-term visitor visa that allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to visit for up to 5 years, with the ability to apply for a second visa, extending their total stay to 10 years. This is a large improvement from the previous Parent and Grandparent visa, which allows visa holders to stay in New Zealand for up to 6 months at a time, with a maximum total stay of 18 months in 3 years.
The Parent Boost visa provides families a way to spend meaningful time together long-term, without putting strain on public services.
The applicant must be able to show they are of good character, meet the acceptable standard of health, have an eligible sponsor, meet one of the financial criteria, and have appropriate health insurance which matches the visa criteria.
The sponsor must be the applicants biological or adopted child and a New Zealand citizen or resident. The sponsor must also agree to take on specific responsibilities for the full duration of the visa, such as covering essential costs such as accommodation and daily living costs, ensuring access to health and financial support, and covering costs related to repatriation or deportation, if required.
Whilst the visa does not provide a path to residency, the visa is designed to “help unite families and enhance New Zealand’s appeal to highly skilled migrants.”
Contact Rupert Ward to discuss visa options for families