Parent Resident Visa NZ

Parents Category Resident Visa New Zealand

Want to Bring Your Parents to New Zealand Permanently?

If you are a New Zealand citizen or resident, there is a pathway to bring one or both of your parents here to live with you — permanently. It takes planning, patience, and the right support, but for families who qualify, it is one of the most meaningful outcomes immigration can deliver.

Check If You Qualify — Free Assessment →

How the Visa Works

The Parent Resident Visa is a two-stage process. First, your parent submits an Expression of Interest (EOI) explaining how they meet the requirements. If their EOI is selected, they receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for residence.

EOIs are drawn from a pool. From 5 October 2026, INZ is introducing a new hybrid selection model — approximately 90% of EOIs will be selected in date order, with around 10% chosen through a ballot. The annual quota currently sits at 2,500 places.

Who Can Be Sponsored?

Your parent can apply if they have no dependent children of their own, and if they meet standard health and character requirements. Grandparents and legal guardians may also qualify under this category.

What You Need to Do as a Sponsor

As the sponsoring child, you must be a New Zealand citizen or resident who has held residence for at least 3 years. You need to show that you earn enough to support your parent here.

The income threshold is set at 1.5 times the New Zealand median wage — and this increases by half the median wage for each additional parent or joint sponsor. From 30 April 2026, these thresholds were updated to reflect the current median wage of NZD $35.00 per hour.

Two adult children can jointly sponsor a parent, and a child can sponsor jointly with their partner. This means the income requirement can be shared — which makes a significant difference for many families.

2026 Updates You Should Know About

Two important changes affect this visa category in 2026:

The sponsor income thresholds increased from 30 April 2026, based on the updated median wage. If you previously assessed your eligibility based on older figures, check where you stand now.

From 5 October 2026, the EOI selection process changes to a hybrid model — most EOIs will be drawn in date order rather than purely by ballot. If your parent has an existing EOI in the pool, this may affect when they are selected.

How We Can Help

Parent visa applications are among the most emotionally important — and procedurally detailed — cases we handle. Getting the sponsorship evidence right, structuring joint sponsor arrangements correctly, and responding to any INZ requests promptly can make a real difference to the outcome.

Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd is a licensed practice with over 20 years of experience helping families reunite in New Zealand. We offer a free initial assessment to help you understand whether you and your parent qualify, and what the realistic timeline looks like for your situation.

Book a Free Consultation → Contact Our Team →

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.