Parent Boost Visa Guide

This guide explains how the Parent Boost Visa works, who can apply, what it costs, and the common pitfalls to watch out for.

What is the Parent Boost Visitor Visa?

The Parent Boost Visa is a long-stay visitor visa for the parents of New Zealand citizens or residents. It:

• Grants up to five years of stay on one visa.
• Allows a second five-year visa after three months offshore.
• Is capped at two visas in a lifetime (ten years total).
• Does not give work rights in New Zealand.
• Is not a residence visa pathway.

Applications open on 29 September 2025.

Who can apply for the Parent Boost Visitor Visa?

To be eligible, parents must:

• Apply from offshore.
• Be sponsored by their NZ citizen or resident child (the sponsor must remain living in NZ while the parent is here).
• Meet residence-level health standards, including a second offshore medical at year three (no medical waivers).
• Hold and maintain approved private health or travel insurance.
• Show financial support through one of three tests:
• Sponsor income test.
• Parent income at NZ Super rates.
• Parent assets of NZD 160,000 (single) or NZD 250,000 (couple).

What are the conditions of the Parent Boost Visitor Visa?

• Duration: 5 years, multiple entry.
• Total allowance: 10 years across two visas, separated by three months offshore.
• Work and study: No New Zealand employment. Limited study permitted. Remote work for an overseas employer may be possible.
• Insurance: Must cover emergency medical ($250k/year), cancer treatment ($100k), repatriation and return of remains. Must always be kept current. Failure to maintain cover can cancel the visa and block access to a second Parent Boost or even affect Parent Resident eligibility.
• Compliance: Year-three offshore medical and compliance check is mandatory.

What does the Parent Boost Visitor Visa cost?

• Application fee (including immigration levy): NZD 3000
• Year-three compliance check: NZD 325
• International Visitor Levy: NZD 100
• Private insurance premiums (variable and potentially significant)

How does the Parent Boost Visa compare to the Parent Resident Visa?

• Purpose: Parent Boost = long visits; Parent Resident = settlement.
• Health and insurance: Parent Boost requires strict residence-level medicals plus ongoing private insurance; Parent Resident does not require insurance.
• Cap: Parent Resident visas are capped each year; Parent Boost offers a flexible long-visit option but no pathway to residence.

What are the risks with the Parent Boost Visitor Visa?

• Not a backdoor to residence – applicants must leave before expiry unless they qualify separately.
• Insurance lapses – failure to maintain cover can cancel the visa, block access to a second Parent Boost, and may affect Parent Resident eligibility.
• Year-three medical – mandatory offshore check; failing health standards can end the visa.
• Sponsor liability – sponsors are responsible for costs and must remain living in NZ.
• Tax and pension rules – long stays may trigger NZ tax obligations or affect overseas pensions.
• No NZ job rights – employment in NZ is prohibited. Remote work only if employer is offshore.

Who is most likely to qualify for the Parent Boost Visa?

• Parents who can meet the health standard and insurance requirements.
• Parents sponsored by a NZ citizen or resident child who meets the income test, or parents who can show sufficient income or funds themselves.

What should applicants and sponsors prepare before applying?

For the sponsoring adult child in NZ

• Confirm you meet the income threshold (currently NZD 69,804.80 median wage for one adult child who is sponsoring one parent).
• Gather sponsor’s IRD records for the last three tax years.
• Understand your legal obligations and liabilities as a sponsor.

For the parent offshore

• Complete residence-level medicals and prepare for a second offshore medical at year three.
• Research and price qualifying insurance before applying.
• Plan travel around the year-three offshore compliance period.
• If working remotely, keep documentation showing your employer is offshore.

What is the application process for the Parent Boost Visa?

• Apply from offshore with sponsor details, financial proof, medicals, and character checks.
• Approval in principle → provide proof of 12 months insurance.
• Visa grant → travel to New Zealand and comply with visa conditions.
• Year-three compliance check offshore with medical and proof of continuous insurance.
• At the end of the five-year Parent Boost Visa, apply for second visa after three months offshore (up to ten years total).

Why this visa matters for families

The Parent Boost Visa offers up to ten years of extended visits for parents, giving migrant families more time together without requiring permanent settlement. It is designed to balance family unity with government concerns around cost and health risks.

Need expert help with the Parent Boost Visitor Visa?

This visa comes with strict requirements and compliance obligations. Contact our team to guide you through eligibility, prepare your application, and help you avoid common pitfalls.