Monday 16 June 2025
New Zealand’s Parent Boost Visitor Visa: A Practical Option for Longer Family Stays
For many families living in New Zealand, finding a way for parents or grandparents to spend meaningful time here has long been a challenge. One of the things that worries many migrants most is the distance from family support and worry over parents’ well-being. Traditional parent visa and grandparent visa options often come with short timeframes or strict limits, making long-term family visits difficult to arrange.
A new option—the Parent Boost Visitor Visa—is set to change that.
Most of us at Teresa Chan Law were born overseas, so we understand, in a personal way, what you’re experiencing being far from your family. As immigration lawyers, we regularly help clients navigate the complexities of parent and grandparent visas. Here’s what you need to know about this new visa pathway and how it might work for your family.
What is the Parent Boost Visitor Visa?
The Parent Boost Visitor Visa will allow parents of New Zealand citizens or residents to stay in New Zealand for up to five years at a time. It offers a longer-term option for family connection without requiring permanent residence or the complexity of the application.
Importantly, the visa can be applied for twice, which means a parent could potentially spend up to ten years living with family in New Zealand.
This visa opens for applications on 29 September 2025, and Immigration New Zealand has indicated that more detailed requirements will be available closer to that date.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, applicants will need to:
Visa holders will also need to complete a health and insurance check three years into their stay.
This visa may suit families who want more flexibility and time together, but who are not currently pursuing permanent residence for their parents.
How Does This Compare to Other Parent Visa Options?
It’s worth understanding where the Parent Boost Visitor Visa fits among the existing visa options:
The Parent Boost Visitor Visa provides a middle-ground option—it’s not permanent, but it offers a much longer stay than most visitor visas allow.
Things to Consider Before Applying
Although this new visa is a positive development for many families, it’s not without its challenges. The financial requirements, health checks, and insurance obligations will likely require careful planning. It’s also important to understand the temporary nature of the visa—this is not a step toward permanent residence.
As immigration lawyers, and migrants ourselves, we can help you:
How We Can Help
We work with families across New Zealand and overseas to manage parent visa and grandparent visa applications. Whether you’re preparing for the new Parent Boost Visitor Visa, or exploring the Parent Resident or Retirement options, we’re here to offer clear, practical advice with a personal touch.
The rules can be detailed, but you don’t need to figure it all out alone. If you’d like to talk about your options, or you’re thinking ahead to the September 2025 opening date, please get in touch with us.
This article is for general use only. Advice should be sought for specific circumstances. Please consult Teresa Chan at Teresa Chan Law Limited, Level 3, Westpac Building, 106 George Street, Dunedin 9016, 03-4771069, or email teresa@tchanlaw.co.nz
KEYWORDS: Parent Boost Visitor Visa, New visa for parents, requirements
