New Zealand government offers visas to parents of residents longer stays with multi-entry access, easing family reunification and supporting economic growth.
New Zealand has opened applications for a new five-year “Parent Boost” visitor visa, allowing parents of residents and citizens to make extended, multi-entry visits. The move is being positioned as a major step toward strengthening family ties while supporting the country’s economic and immigration objectives.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced the initiative, saying it was carefully designed to balance the wishes of New Zealanders with family overseas against the need to protect public services. “There’s no substitute for having loved ones nearby,” Stanford said, highlighting the role that parents often play in childcare and supporting new arrivals.
The new visa complements New Zealand’s general visitor visa and its parent and grandparent visitor visa programs. Officials say it will help make the country more attractive to skilled migrants, many of whom weigh family reunification options when deciding where to settle.
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To qualify, applicants must meet health, character, and financial criteria. They must hold comprehensive health insurance covering emergency treatment, repatriation, and cancer care for the entire duration of their stay. A fresh medical assessment and proof of active insurance will be required during the third year of the visa, while applicants are outside New Zealand.
Sponsors must be New Zealand residents or citizens who earn at least the median wage to support one parent, or 1.5 times that amount to support two. Alternatively, applicants may demonstrate sufficient personal funds—NZ$160,000 for a single parent or NZ$250,000 for a couple—or show ongoing income equal to New Zealand’s pension rate.
Once approved, parents must enter the country within six months. Their five-year visa begins from their first arrival date, and they are free to leave and re-enter throughout its validity.
The Parent Boost visa also delivers on a coalition agreement between New Zealand’s National and ACT parties, aimed at making the country more competitive in attracting migrants.
In a related announcement, the government revealed a redesigned “job check” process for employers hiring under the Accredited Employer Work Visa program. The update is intended to streamline decision-making and speed up recruitment for businesses facing skills shortages.
“This redesign reflects feedback from employers and users,” Stanford said. “It’s another step toward a more responsive, user-friendly immigration system.”
