'Parent Boost' Visitor Visa: How Much Will The Health Insurance Cost You

On 8 June, the New Zealand government announced a new long-term visitor visa called the 'Parent Boost' Visitor Visa, aimed at helping bring migrant families closer.

While many have welcomed the move, questions remain about the costs of health insurance.

In this column, I break down travel insurance with examples to help migrants better plan their parents’ visits to New Zealand — explaining what it covers, how much it costs, and why it’s essential.

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What is Health Insurance?

Most insurance providers in New Zealand offer comprehensive travel insurance that covers not just health but also travel-related components like loss of baggage. However, health insurance is a mandatory requirement under the 'Parent Boost' Visitor Visa. While Indian providers may be offering such plans, it’s important to ensure they meet all required components under 'Parent Boost' Visitor Visa.

Travel Insurance is a short-term insurance solution designed to cover the financial risks associated while travelling overseas.

Any visitor (Family Member and Parents) who travels or visits New Zealand, must avail a Travel Insurance.

Some of the Key Benefits are:

1. Unlimited Cost for any medical Treatment (Standdown period applies).
2. Loss of Luggage, documents and/or personal effects
3. Repatriation or Funeral Expenses.
4. Optional Add Ons (extra premiums to be paid) – Extension of Cover, Cover for Pre-existing Health Conditions etc.
5. Cover term up to age of 75
6. Maximum cover available is for 24 months.

Normally, like all other insurances, the Travel Insurance too can be availed with various excess options ($0.00 excess, $100.00 excess or $250 excess). Higher the excess, cheaper the premiums.

Cost of Insurance will also vary depending upon the age of the traveller and the duration of stay and the chosen excess, plus cost to cover any pre-existing health conditions (subject to underwriting).

Example No.1

Mr X aged 62 and Mrs X aged 59 Cover for 12 months to come and help their daughter who is expecting a child.

Premium in the range of $1810 to $2300 between various excess options.

Example No.2

Mr. A aged 60 - Cover for 24 months again to look after her son’s children.Premium will range from $1800 to $2300 between various excess options.

However under the above examples, if there were any pre-existing health conditions, additional premiums would apply.

Why Purchase Travel Insurance from a New Zealand-Based Provider?

While offshore travel insurance may be available, opting for a New Zealand-based insurer offers distinct advantages:

1. Streamlined claim processing within New Zealand
2. Higher and more relevant cover limits
3. Faster resolution times, avoiding cross-border administrative delays
4. Ease of communication for both the traveller and their local family

This ensures that should a claim arise, it can be managed locally and efficiently—without unnecessary stress or confusion.

Compliance with Immigration Requirements

As of recent changes, New Zealand Immigration now requires valid medical insurance proof for visitors, especially under 'Parent Boost' Visitor Visa categories. A comprehensive travel insurance policy issued by a New

Zealand insurers can serve as valid documentation for visa processing and entry approval.

It is recommended that any Traveller should avail their Travel Insurance as soon as their travel tickets have been booked and once their visa has been issued to them. This is to protect the traveller from untoward expenses for treatment costs.

Starting from September, the new multiple-entry 'Parent Boost' Visitor Visa will allow parents of New Zealand citizens or residents to stay in the country for up to five years. Applicants can apply for a second visa, extending their total stay to up to ten years, provided they continue to meet all eligibility requirements. However, the 'Parent Boost' Visitor Visa does not provide a pathway to residence.

Applications for this Visa will open on 29 September 2025, with further details to be released closer to that date.

Firozi Mistry, an Insurance Adviser at Mazda Financial Services Ltd, has 22 years of experience in the banking industry across India and New Zealand. She has worked with reputed institutions such as Canara Bank and Westpac Bank and has been actively involved in the financial sector, including banking and private lending.