New ‘Parent Boost Visa’ to Strengthen Family Ties and Attract Skilled Migrants to New Zealand
WELLINGTON, NZ – June 13, 2025 – The New Zealand Government today unveiled a significant new immigration initiative, the “Parent Boost Visa,” designed to foster family reunification and bolster the country’s appeal to highly skilled migrants. This multi-entry visitor visa will allow parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to visit for an extended period of up to five years, with the possibility of a further five-year extension, creating a potential total stay of a decade. The move signals a strategic effort to support the wellbeing of migrant families while carefully managing the impact on public services.
The Parent Boost Visa is specifically crafted as a long-term visitor option, emphasizing family connections rather than a direct route to permanent residency. To be eligible, applicants must meet stringent good character and acceptable health standards, aligning with those for residence visas. A critical component is the requirement for an eligible sponsor—a biological or adopted child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident. This sponsor must commit to covering essential costs, including accommodation, daily living expenses, and access to health and financial support, along with any potential repatriation or deportation costs for the full duration of the visa.
Financial requirements for the visa offer flexibility, allowing families to choose from three criteria. Sponsors can demonstrate sufficient income, starting at the New Zealand median wage for one parent, increasing for additional parents or joint sponsors. Alternatively, parent applicants can qualify based on a personal annual income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation (currently NZD $32,611.28 gross for a single parent), or by possessing substantial personal funds: NZD $160,000 for a single applicant or NZD $250,000 for a couple. These thresholds are set in New Zealand dollars and are designed to ensure parents are adequately supported without recourse to public funds.
A key aspect of the Parent Boost Visa is the mandatory health insurance coverage, which must include a minimum of NZD $250,000 for emergency medical care, repatriation, return of remains, and NZD $100,000 for cancer treatment annually. Applicants will undergo two health assessments: one during the initial application, and a second in the third year of the visa, which must be completed outside New Zealand to demonstrate continued ties to their home country. The visa itself will cost NZD $3,000 for most applicants (NZD $2,450 for the Pacific fee band), plus a NZD $100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, with an additional processing fee for the mid-visa health check.
Applications for the Parent Boost Visa are set to open on September 29, 2025, and will be processed online through the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website. While the visa allows for multiple entries and limited remote work or study (up to three months per year for study), it is explicitly stated that it is not a pathway to residence. The Government intends to review the policy in 2027 to assess its effectiveness. This new visa complements existing options like the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, providing a robust framework for families to maintain strong bonds across generations.
