COLUMNS

Parent Boost Visa – A Decade With Family, Only If You Can Afford It

Written by Pawandeep Singh | Aug 26, 2025 11:51:33 PM

From 29 September 2025, Immigration New Zealand will open applications for the new Parent Boost Visitor Visa — a long-awaited initiative designed to reunite parents of New Zealand citizens and residents with their families for extended periods. While this new visa pathway offers significant benefits, it also comes with strict conditions that applicants must carefully consider.

The Upside

The Parent Boost Visitor Visa allows parents to stay in New Zealand for up to five years initially, with the option to apply for a further five years — meaning parents could enjoy a decade-long stay with their children and grandchildren. For many migrant families, this is a welcome opportunity to strengthen family ties and spend meaningful time together without the frequent disruptions of short-term visas.

 

The Downside

While the visa offers flexibility and family connection, it comes with strict compliance requirements:

1. Mandatory compliance check: Between the third and fourth year, parents must leave New Zealand and complete a compliance check, including a new medical certificate and proof of ongoing insurance.
2. No medical waivers: Unlike other visa categories, medical waivers are not available — applicants must fully meet the health standard.
3. High insurance obligations: Health insurance is compulsory, covering at least:
  • Emergency medical care: $250,000 per year
  • Cancer treatment: $100,000 per year
  • Repatriation: $250,000
  • Return of remains: $50,000
4. Insurance must be maintained for the entire duration of the stay in New Zealand, with the first 12 months’ premium paid upfront once an approval in principle is issued.
5. Failure to maintain insurance may lead to visa cancellation, deportation, or ineligibility for future Parent Boost or Parent Resident visas.

What It Means for Families

The new Parent Boost Visitor Visa is a welcome step forward in addressing the long-standing demand from migrant communities for extended parental stays, but the reality is that not all families will benefit equally. The policy has been designed with strict financial conditions, which could leave many migrant households — especially those working in essential or lower-wage roles — unable to qualify.

More Than Just Money

Beyond finances, there are other hurdles. Parents must apply from outside New Zealand, meet strict health standards, and purchase comprehensive insurance covering everything from emergencies and cancer treatment to repatriation costs. Insurance for the first 12 months must be purchased upfront, and failure to maintain cover could result in visa cancellation or even deportation.

A Visa That Risks Creating Inequality

While the Parent Boost Visa is rightly being celebrated as a way to keep families together, it risks becoming a privilege largely reserved for those in high-paying jobs or with wealthy parents overseas. Migrants working in construction, hospitality, caregiving, or other essential industries — roles that New Zealand depends on — may find themselves locked out simply because their wages fall short of the income threshold.


Pawandeep Singh, Founder and Principal Adviser at Kiwiana Immigration Limited, is a Licensed Immigration Adviser with nearly a decade of experience in immigration and international education. He is based in Auckland and can be contacted at +64 27 729 2637 or pawandeep@kiwianaimmigration.co.nz.
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