Good news for Indians living in New Zealand. If you’ve been wishing your parents could stay with you for more than just a few months at a time, that might now be possible. The New Zealand government has announced a new long-term visitor visa called the Parent Boost Visa, allowing parents of residents and citizens to stay for up to 10 years, Business Standardreported.
The move is expected to benefit thousands of Indians who are settled in New Zealand while their parents remain in India. Applications for the new visa will open on September 29, 2025, according to Business Standard.
“There is expected to be between 2,000 to 10,000 applicants each year,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said. “There will be no cap, but the visa will be reviewed in 2027.” The Parent Boost Visa was first promised by the National Party during the 2023 election campaign and is being rolled out as part of efforts to make New Zealand more attractive to highly skilled migrants, Business Standard noted.
The government confirmed there will be no annual cap on applicants, though the scheme will undergo a full review in 2027.
“This visa supports family connections without putting extra pressure on public services,” New Zealand Immigration said in a statement, as quoted by Business Standard. “It is not a pathway to residence, but it does offer a meaningful way for families to spend time together over the long term.”
Current Options for Parents
Currently, the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa allows parents to visit for up to six months at a time, with a maximum stay of 18 months over three years. For those seeking permanent residency, the Parent Resident Visaremains available but is capped and operates through an invitation-only process, Business Standard reported.
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