New 5 + 5 Year Parent Visitor Visa to Begin 29 September!

The Government has fulfilled its election promise and will soon introduce the Parent Boost Visa (PBV) – a 5-year multiple entry visitor visa for parents of New Zealand citizens and residents. Provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria parents may also be able to apply for a second PBV, enabling a total stay of up 10 years.

Parents must be of good character and of acceptable health and must maintain suitable health insurance for the duration of their PBV. They must also be sponsored by their New Zealand citizen/resident child who accepts responsibility for essential living and accommodation costs, access to healthcare and financial support, and for any costs, if required, relating to repatriation or deportation.

In addition, one of the following financial requirements must be met:

• The sponsoring child must earn at least the New Zealand median wage (currently $69,804.80 pa) which increases by 0.5x for each additional parent, OR
• The parent(s) have a personal income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation, currently $32,611.28 gross per annum for a single parent, and $49,552.88 for a couple, OR
• The parent(s) have sufficient personal funds of either $160,000 for a single parent, or $250,000 for a couple

It will be a requirement for all parents to hold suitable health insurance which covers emergency medical care (minimum $250,000 a year), cancer treatment (minimum $100,000), repatriation and return of remains. Such insurance will need to be renewed annually and be maintained for the duration of their time in New Zealand.

There are several matters with the PBV that need to be carefully considered:

• Health checks are undertaken with the visa application and an additional health check is required after 3 years – and this health check must be undertaken outside of New Zealand so parents will need to leave the country for possibly several months at this juncture. This opportunity will also be taken to check parents have maintained the required health insurance.

• It is expected insurance companies will develop a product which is specific to the PBV. However, with parents’ aging, the possibility of age-related and other health issues will increase, and thus the ability to maintain insurance is expected to become, over time, more challenging.

• This is difficult to estimate at this juncture and will need to wait on the insurance companies to undertake their risk profiling and finalise their product offering, and pricing. However, this cost is expected to be a very significant consideration and could be anywhere between $4,000 and $8,000 (or more) per year per person depending on their individual situation. Hopefully, the volume of applications will keep the insurance pricing competitive.

• The PBV is a visitor visa, and parents are not able to work or study in New Zealand (but may (TBC) be able to do so remotely for an overseas entity).
• Given the insurance requirement/costs it may be best for parents to first exhaust their general visitor visa, and the 18-month stay requirement under the 3 year parent/grandparent visitor visa, options before transitioning to the PBV.

• The PBV is not a residence visa and does not offer any pathway to New Zealand residence. Even though parents may spend 10 years in New Zealand, the PBV cannot lead or contribute, in any way, to their ability to obtain New Zealand residence.
• Parents can currently only qualify for residence under the Parent Category (a ballot category which requires their sponsor(s) to have relatively high income(s)), or the Parent Retirement Resident visa (which requires an investment of $1 million together with other requirements). However, parents can hold the PBV and stay in New Zealand while awaiting the outcome of their Parent Category ballot draw, or their lodged parent residence application.

• Families will need to carefully consider the reality that sooner or later their parents’ age and health will “catch up with them”, and that they will no longer be able to meet the requirements of the PBV - and must return home. It is important that families understand and acknowledge that this time will come, either at the end of the PBV 10-year duration, or before, and that they ensure their parents have a home and support to return to, and that this separation will be very difficult for all of the family.

• The PBV total application fee will be $3,100, although parents from the Pacific Islands can be eligible for a reduced fee of $2,450. There is also an additional fee (circa $300) for Immigration NZ to assess the 3-year health/insurance check.

The above represents our summation and understanding of the Parent Boost Category details based on the recent Government announcement. As with all such announcements we now await the underlying policy detail to inform key aspects of the policy and which will be released prior to the implementation date of 29 September 2025.

The circumstances and nature of family visa applications are always very individual and can be emotionally challenging, and for these reasons professional advice from a Licenced Immigration Adviser experienced in such applications is strongly recommended. Contact a Pathways® licensed immigration adviser today!