The new Parent Boost Visitor Visa is an exciting opportunity for parents to visit their children in New Zealand for significantly longer periods than previously allowed. Our initial blog of 9th June set out several details. This blog lists some key further information subsequently made available by Immigration New Zealand.
Recap: What Is the Parent Boost Visitor Visa?
This is a longer-term, multiple entry visitor visa. Parents must be sponsored by their New Zealand citizen or resident children. The initial visa is for a stay of up to 5 years (with a trip home at the 3-year mark for medical checks), renewable once for a total of 10 years.
There is no English requirement, but applicants must meet health and character requirements.
Key updates:
In addition to the requirements we detailed in our 9 June Blog, applicants must:
- be outside New Zealand when applying and when the visa is approved
- show that they are genuine visitors who will retain links with their home country
- not have any dependent children
- INZ fee is NZ$3000 ($2450 for the Pacific fee band) plus levy
The first 5-year stay begins from the date of first arrival, not the date of approval. Arrival in New Zealand must be within 6 months of the visa being approved. You can leave and re-enter New Zealand freely during the visa period. Parents and their partners can travel separately.
Approval in Principle and 3-year health check
Once Immigration New Zealand accept your application and evidence, you will receive an “approval in principle” at which time you will be asked to provide evidence of 12 months’ worth of acceptable health insurance.
When you reach 3 years, you will need to leave New Zealand and complete an Immigration check by submitting a new medical certificate and providing evidence that acceptable insurance has been maintained the whole time you have been in New Zealand. This process could take as long as 4 months.
Health and Health insurance
The Government has been clear that this visa type should not place undue pressure on New Zealand’s health system. Applicants must meet an acceptable standard of health to qualify. Medical waivers will not be considered.
Holding health insurance is a key part of this visa category. Failing to maintain acceptable insurance while in New Zealand on this visa may result in your visa being cancelled, you being made liable for deportation and/or not being eligible for a future Parent Boost Visitor Visa or Parent Resident Visa.
The key requirements for health insurance are as follows:
- Insurance must be maintained for the entire duration of the stay in New Zealand
- 12 months of insurance must be purchased upfront (following an approval in principle)
- Evidence of this insurance must be provided within 3 months of the visa being approved in principle
- Insurance may be from New Zealand or offshore providers, with experience in health/travel insurance and a credit rating of no lower than A or equivalent from an internationally recognised credit rating agency (e.g. Standard and Poor’s).
Insurance must cover:
| Coverage Type | Minimum Amount (in NZD) |
| Emergency medical care | $250,000 a year |
| Cancer treatment | $100,000 a year |
| Repatriation | $250,000 |
| Return of remains | $50,000 |
Evidence of financial support
Funds must be enough to support parents for the full duration of their visa. Applicants can choose one of the following three options to prove enough financial support:
Sponsor income
Joint sponsorship is allowed. This can include:
- an adult child and their partner
- 2 adult children (siblings)
- 1 adult child of the parent and 1 adult child of the parent’s partner.
If the New Zealand child sponsor does not earn the median wage or higher (or joint sponsors earn at least 1.5 x the median wage) then they can apply under the parent’s income or parent’s assets categories.
Parent income
Parents can qualify for the Parent Boost Visitor Visa by showing they receive a regular income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation, currently NZ$ 32,611.28 per year for a single parent, or NZ$ 49,552.88 per year for a couple, OR;
Parent assets
Meet the requirements by showing they have sufficient personal funds; at least NZ$ 160,000 for a single applicant or NZ$ 250,000 for a couple. Borrowed or gifted funds will not be accepted. Parents must evidence that their funds genuinely belong to them.
Note Sponsors must remain in New Zealand while the parents are visiting and are liable for any costs incurred by the parents during their stay.
Other Parent Visa Options
If the new Parent Boost visa is too expensive, or the health insurance requirements too restrictive, both the existing Parent/Grandparent visitor visa and general visitor visa categories remain in place. These other options may still be more affordable or practical.
Need Help Applying?
At Greenstone Immigration, we specialize in helping families navigate New Zealand’s immigration system. If you’re considering applying for the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, our team is here to assist you every step of the way.
Contact us today for a free consultation
