New Zealand
Parent Visa

The Parent Resident Visa offers permanent residence but operates on a ballot system with limited annual quota (2,500 places) and requires high sponsor income. The Parent Boost Visitor Visa (available from September 2025) allows up to 10 years stay but doesn’t provide residence pathway and requires comprehensive health insurance.

Your sponsoring child must earn at least 1.5 times the New Zealand median wage for one parent (currently NZ$104,707 annually) or 2 times the median wage for two parents (NZ$139,610 annually). This requirement is assessed based on the previous tax year’s income.

The Parent Boost Visa requires comprehensive health insurance with minimum NZ$250,000 annual emergency medical cover, cancer treatment coverage (minimum NZ$100,000), and medical repatriation coverage. Insurance must be maintained for the entire visa duration and may be expensive for elderly applicants with pre-existing conditions.

Work rights depend on the visa type. Parent Resident Visa and Parent Retirement Resident Visa holders can work without restrictions. Visitor visa holders (Parent & Grandparent Visitor and Parent Boost Visitor) cannot work in New Zealand, though remote work for overseas employers may be permitted.

The Parent Resident Visa operates on a ballot system with approximately 3% selection chance due to high demand and limited annual quota of 2,500 places. Many families wait several years before being selected, with some waiting over a decade.

The Parent Retirement Resident Visa typically takes up to 24 months to process. While expensive (requiring NZ$1 million investment plus NZ$500,000 settlement funds), it offers immediate residence pathway without ballot system uncertainty.

Yes, you can include your spouse/partner in parent residence visa applications. For visitor visas, couples can apply together. The sponsor income requirements and health insurance costs will be higher for couples compared to single applicants.

If not selected, you remain in the Expression of Interest pool for future ballots. Alternatively, you can consider other options like the Parent Boost Visitor Visa (from 2025), Parent Retirement Resident Visa if financially eligible, or temporary visitor visas for shorter stays.

English language requirements vary by visa type. Parent Resident Visa requires English proficiency (IELTS 4.0 minimum) or pre-purchase of ESOL tuition. Visitor visas generally don’t have English requirements, though basic English helps with daily life in New Zealand.

Only permanent residents can apply for citizenship. Parent Resident Visa and Parent Retirement Resident Visa holders can apply for citizenship after meeting residence requirements (including physical presence in New Zealand). Visitor visa holders cannot apply for citizenship as they don’t have residence status.