New Zealand has relaxed the immigration rules by making it easier and simpler for the temporary residents to bring their parents into the country. The New Zealand government has announced a new long-term visitor visa to help unite families and enhance New Zealand’s appeal to highly skilled migrants.

Beginning in September, a new ‘Parent Boost’ visa would grant the parents of New Zealand citizens and residents multi-entry access for up to five years, provided they meet specific health, income, and insurance requirements.

The Parent Boost Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa that allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to visit for up to 5 years. One may apply for a second visa, enabling a total stay of up to 10 years, provided they continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

Parent Boost Visa is not a pathway to residence, but it does offer a meaningful way for families to spend time together over the long term. For those seeking permanent residency, the Parent Resident Visa remains available. One can apply for permanent residence after having this visa for at least 10 years in a row.

Other temporary visa options for parents include the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa and the Visitor Visa. There are two other visas for parents seeking permanent residency – Parent Resident Visa (capped at 2,500 places annually) and Parent Retirement Resident Visa.

The new ‘Parent Boost’ visa will help skilled foreign workers to reunite with their parents and live with them in New Zealand. The Parent Boost applications open on 29 September 2025.

To be eligible for a Parent Boost visa, applicants must be an eligible sponsor who is a New Zealand citizen or resident. They also need to have at least one year of health insurance coverage that provides emergency medical coverage of at least up to $250,000.

The applicants will be required to undergo 2 health assessments to ensure they are of an acceptable standard of health. The first health check is completed as part of the initial visa application. In the third year of the visa, applicants must get a second health check while outside of New Zealand. They will also need to show proof that they have held valid health insurance while visiting New Zealand.

The cost of the visa will be NZD $3,000 for most applicants and NZD $2,450 for applicants eligible for the Pacific fee band. This includes both the immigration fee and levy. Applicants will also be required to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of NZD $100. After 3 years, there is an additional processing fee for the third-year health check of NZD $325 for most people, or NZD $240 if eligible for the Pacific fee band.

One of the following income requirements must also be met:

  • The sponsor must earn the median wage to sponsor one parent, joint sponsors must earn 1.5x the median wage; or
  • The parent have an ongoing income aligning with the single rate of New Zealand Superannuation for a single parent and the couple rate for a couple; or
  • The parent have available funds of $160,000 for a single parent and $250,000 for a couple to support themselves for the duration of their visa