Parent boost temporary visa.
Spend longer with your adult children in New Zealand. Understand the sponsorship, financial, health and insurance commitments behind this long-stay visitor option.
The Parent Boost temporary visa category
The Parent Boost visa is a long-term temporary visa for five years allowing parents to stay in New Zealand with their children. The visa can be secured twice, allowing for a total of ten years in New Zealand
What is Parent Boost?
The Parent Boost Visitor Visa allows eligible parents to visit New Zealand for up to five years with multiple entries. It is a temporary visa and does not provide a pathway to residence.
You must apply from outside New Zealand. An eligible partner can be included, but applicants cannot have dependent children. A maximum of two Parent Boost visas can be granted, with a fresh assessment required for the second visa.
What are the financial options?
There are three ways to meet the financial requirement:
• Qualifying ongoing income belonging to you, or you and an included partner.
• Sufficient eligible personal funds available to support your stay.
• Income earned by your eligible sponsor or joint sponsors.
As at 3 November 2026, the personal income thresholds are NZD $33,663.24 a year for one applicant or NZD $51,182.56 for a couple. The alternative personal funds thresholds are NZD $170,000 for one applicant or NZD $260,000 for a couple.
Income must meet the required level over the preceding 12 months and be ongoing. Personal funds must be genuinely accessible, unencumbered and not borrowed or gifted.
The sponsor income route has separate thresholds and historical tax-year requirements. These figures are reviewed periodically, so use the thresholds applying when the application is made.
What health requirements apply?
Parent Boost has a demanding health assessment, and medical waivers are not available under this category. Insurance and health eligibility are separate: obtaining a policy does not establish that you meet the visa's health requirements.
During the third year, you must leave New Zealand for an offshore health and insurance check. You must remain outside New Zealand until compliance is confirmed. This means the visa should not be understood as five uninterrupted years without further assessment.
Who needs to sponsor you?
You need an eligible adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident living in New Zealand. Joint sponsorship can be available through your child and their partner, or through two eligible adult children.
Sponsorship is still required if you meet the financial criteria through your own income or savings. Your ability to pay your expenses does not remove the sponsor's undertakings.
Discuss where you will live, who will pay for everyday expenses and how unexpected costs will be managed. Put those arrangements alongside the visa requirements so everyone understands the practical commitment.
What insurance is required?
You must have acceptable health or travel insurance throughout every period spent in New Zealand. Ordinary travel insurance should not be assumed to qualify.
The minimum cover includes NZD $250,000 a year for emergency medical care, NZD $100,000 for cancer treatment, NZD $250,000 for repatriation following serious illness or disability, and NZD $50,000 for returning remains. The insurer must also meet the required financial rating.
At least 12 months of acceptable cover is required before the visa is granted. Following approval in principle, evidence must be provided within three months. Explore availability and cost before applying, then arrange the qualifying policy at the appropriate stage.
How should you plan your stay?
Budget for insurance renewals, travel for the offshore check and healthcare costs that may fall outside your policy. Keep evidence of continuous qualifying cover for every period in New Zealand.
Parent Boost does not give a general right to take employment with a New Zealand employer. Plan the visit around the visa's actual conditions, and keep temporary visiting plans separate from any future residence assessment.
Notes on this guide…
This guide explains the category in general terms. Immigration instructions can change; eligibility depends on the rules and circumstances applicable to your application.
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Try our online assessment form, which will give us all the information we need to determine the most suitable option for your circumstances.
