What is the Parent Boost Visitor Visa?

The Parent Boost Visitor Visa allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay in New Zealand for:

Up to 5 years initially, and
Potentially another five years after successfully applying for a second Parent Boost Visitor Visa

This creates a maximum possible stay of 10 years, making it one of the longest visitor visa options available.

However, it is still a temporary visa, not a residence pathway.

While many applicants focus on income thresholds or insurance, INZ is assessing a broader set of factors:

• Whether the sponsor meets financial requirements
• Whether the applicant has sufficient financial backing
• Whether the applicant meets Acceptable Standard of Health (ASH)
• Whether the applicant is unlikely to impose costs on New Zealand’s healthcare system

The health assessment is often the deciding factor—not the financial side.

Sponsorship and income thresholds

Applicants must be sponsored by an eligible adult child. They must then meet one of three financial options: sponsor income, applicant personal funds or applicant annual income. If relying on sponsor income, the following minimum thresholds apply:

• $72,800 for one sponsor supporting one parent
• $109,200 for one sponsor supporting two parents
• $109,200 for joint sponsors supporting one parent
• $145,600 for joint sponsors supporting two parents

The sponsor or sponsors must currently earn the required amount and must also have met the applicable threshold in two of the three completed New Zealand tax years before the application.

Applicant’s personal funds

Alternatively, the applicant must have at least:

If the sponsor does not meet income requirements, applicants can instead provide proof of personal funds:

$170,000 for one applicant
$260,000 if the applicant includes their partner

This shifts the financial burden from sponsor to applicant. The funds must be genuinely available and cannot be borrowed or gifted.

Applicant’s annual income

Retirement income option

Applicants may also qualify by showing ongoing annual income, such as:

• $33,663.24 for one applicant
• $51,182.56 if including their partner

The income must have been earned during the 12 months before applying and must be expected to continue.

Health insurance requirement

Applicants must hold comprehensive health insurance, covering:

Emergency medical treatment
Cancer treatment
Medical repatriation

Insurance must be held:

For the first 12 months, and
Maintained throughout the entire stay

The real hurdle: medical requirements

For most applicants, the biggest risk is not financial—it’s medical.

Even if all other criteria are met, INZ will decline an application if the applicant does not meet the Acceptable Standard of Health (ASH).

This includes if the applicant is:

Likely to pose a risk to public health
Likely to create significant cost or demand on health services
Importantly: There is no medical waiver available under this visa

Based on previous parent visa categories, approximately 16% of applications are declined, largely due to health issues.

Health assessment and third-year check

Applicants must provide a medical examination and chest X-ray for their initial visa application.

They must complete another health and insurance check during the third year of the visa, before the fourth year begins. This is not a visa renewal. The applicant must leave New Zealand, complete a new medical examination and chest X-ray with an approved panel physician overseas, and remain outside New Zealand until Immigration New Zealand confirms that the visa conditions have been met.

If the applicant no longer meets the health requirements, their visa may be cancelled and they may be unable to return to New Zealand.

Despite appearing straightforward, applications often run into issues such as:
• Underestimating the strict health threshold
• Assuming insurance compensates for medical risk (it does not)
• Applying later in life when health risks are higher
• Not planning for the second medical assessment
• Relying on income alone without considering overall risk

The visa is structured to limit long-term healthcare burden, and INZ assesses this conservatively.

A more strategic approach can significantly improve outcomes:
• Get a medical check before applying
Identify risks early before submitting an application
• Apply earlier rather than later
Health risks increase with age
• Plan for the second medical
Consider long-term health trajectory, not just current condition
• Structure the application carefully
Present clear financial, insurance, and medical positioning