The government of New Zealand has announced the imminent launch of a new visa type, the Parent Boost Visitor Visa.
The Parent Boost Visitor Visa, set to be launched on 29 September 2025, will allow eligible parents of citizens and residents to stay for up to five years, with the option to apply for a second five-year visa.
The government said it designed the visa to support extended family visits rather than permanent residence and it allows multiple entries throughout its validity.
According to the guidelines released by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), after 3 years, holders of the Parent Boost Visitor Visas must leave temporarily for a compliance check, including a new medical certificate no older than 3 months and proof that acceptable insurance has been maintained.
Also, applicants under the new visa type are not allowed to have dependent children, ensuring the visa is strictly for parents and partners.
The statement reads in part: “The Parent Boost Visitor Visa is designed to help parents of New Zealand citizens and residents spend extended time with their families. It allows eligible parents to stay in New Zealand for up to 5 years, and leave and re-enter New Zealand as many times as they want within that time.
“There is also the option to apply for a second 5-year visa, enabling a total stay of up to 10 years.
“This visa is not a pathway to residence, but it offers a meaningful way for families to spend extended time together.
Eligibility and application
“To be granted a Parent Boost Visitor Visa, you must genuinely intend to follow the visa rules, leave New Zealand before it expires, and only use it for visiting your children temporarily.
To apply, you must:
– be outside New Zealand when applying and when the visa is granted
– meet character and health standards
be sponsored by an adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident
– demonstrate you have sufficient funds or income to support your stay or that your sponsor or sponsors meet income requirements
– show that you are a genuine visitor who will retain links with your home country.
If you meet the criteria to be approved:
– You will receive an approval in principle and be asked to provide evidence of 12 months’ worth of acceptable insurance.
– You will also need to sign a declaration confirming that you understand the Parent Boost Visitor Visa is for a temporary stay only, you must follow all visa conditions and leave New Zealand before it expires, and if you or your sponsor does not comply, your visa could be cancelled and you may face deportation.
To be eligible for the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, you must not have any dependent children.
Once your visa is granted:
– You must arrive in New Zealand within 6 months of the visa being approved
– your 5-year stay begins from the date of first arrival, not the approval date
– You can leave and re-enter New Zealand freely during the visa period
– parents and their partners can travel separately
-after 3 years (but before 4 years), you will need to leave New Zealand and complete a compliance check which includes submitting a new medical certificate and providing evidence that acceptable insurance has been maintained while you have been in New Zealand.
This check confirms you are still meeting the visa conditions, including health requirements.
Health and medical requirements
“Applicants must meet an acceptable standard of health. This ensures visa holders do not place undue pressure on New Zealand’s health system.
“For the first visa, medical certificates from the past 12 months may be reused if they meet the required standard.
“For the mid-visa check and second visa, new medical certificates no older than 3 months are required.
Medical waivers will not be considered — applicants must meet the health standard to qualify.”
Additional requirements
“Insurance must be maintained for the entire duration of the stay in New Zealand.
12 months’ 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 (Immigration New Zealand will request the evidence at this time).
“Insurance from companies outside of New Zealand will be accepted so long as it is provided by an acceptable insurer and meets the requirements.”
