The Parent Boost Visitor Visa: What It Is, Who Qualifies, and What It Actually Costs

Parents of New Zealand citizens and residents now have a new option to spend extended time with their family here.

The Parent Boost Visitor Visa opened on 29 September 2025. It allows eligible parents to live in New Zealand for up to five years — and to apply for a second visa for another five years after that.

This is a significant step forward for families separated by distance. But it is important to understand what this visa is — and what it is not.

What the visa offers

If approved, you can stay in New Zealand for up to five years, leaving and returning as many times as you like during that period. A second five-year visa may be available after the first, giving a potential total stay of up to ten years.

You can be present for milestones. You can be there for your grandchildren. You are not just a visitor passing through — you are part of your family’s life here.

Who can apply

You must have an adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or holds a New Zealand resident visa and is living in New Zealand. That child sponsors your application.

You need to meet health and character standards, hold health insurance with a minimum coverage level, and demonstrate financial self-sufficiency — either through your own income, your sponsor’s income, or personal savings of at least NZD $160,000.

What it costs

The visa fee is NZD $3,000 (or NZD $2,450 if you are in a Pacific fee band). A NZD $100 conservation levy applies on top, plus a NZD $325 processing fee for the health check required at the three-year mark.

This is a meaningful investment. It is worth being certain your application is well-prepared before you pay.

What this visa does not do

This is a visitor visa only. It does not give you the right to work in New Zealand. It does not lead to residence. If you are hoping to settle permanently in New Zealand, a different pathway applies — and we can advise on those separately.

Is this visa right for your family?

Not every family will qualify. The financial requirements and health standards are real considerations, and the sponsorship obligations fall on your New Zealand-based child.

We assess eligibility for parent clients individually and help families understand the full picture before they commit to an application.

Talk to us about whether the Parent Boost Visitor Visa is the right option for your family.

This content is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007. Immigration policies are subject to change. For advice specific to your circumstances, contact a Licensed Immigration Adviser.