A Parent Resident Visa is appropriate for individuals who wish to move to New Zealand on a permanent basis and whose child is either a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand. In order to be eligible for one of these limited-issue visas, the sponsoring child must meet a minimum income requirement.
Who can apply for a Parent Resident Visa?
In order to qualify for a Parent Resident Visa, you must:
- have an adult child who is a resident or citizen of New Zealand and who is willing to sponsor your application
- have no dependent children
- be able to demonstrate that you speak and understand English
- be prepared to submit a chest x-ray and medical examination to prove you are in overall good health
- meet the standard character requirements for a New Zealand visa
NB: Legal guardians and grandparents may be eligible to apply for a Parent Resident Visa.
In order to sponsor you, your child must meet certain minimum requirements. Specifically, they must:
- have been a citizen or resident of New Zealand for at least three years when you apply
- live in New Zealand and have spent at least 184 days in the country in the previous three years
- commit to paying your living costs for ten years, if required, as well as the cost of sending you home if needed
- either alone or jointly, meet the minimum income requirement to sponsor a parent for this visa
Joint sponsors can be a partner or an adult child of another parent included in the application. If the sponsors are partners, they must have been living together for at least one year.
For one sponsor, the minimum income levels as of 28 February 2024 are as follows:
- NZD$ 98,623.20 for one parent
- NZD$ 131,497.60 for two parents
- NZD$ 164,732 for three parents
- NZD$ 197,246.40 for four parents
For two sponsors, the minimum income levels as of 28 February 2024 are as follows:
- NZD$ 131,497.60 for one parent
- NZD$ 164,732 for two parents
- NZD$ 197,246.40 for three parents
- NZD$ 230,120.80 for four parents
What does a Parent Resident Visa offer?
If granted, a Parent Resident Visa gives the holder permission to:
- live in New Zealand indefinitely
- work for any employer in any role
- study anywhere in New Zealand for any length of time
- travel freely to and from the country providing that they have a valid travel condition on their visa
- travel conditions for this visa typically last 10 years
- Apply for permanent residence in New Zealand after two years of living in the country
When applying, you may be permitted to include your partner in your application providing that they meet the health and character requirements, and that your sponsor is able to meet the increased minimum income requirement.
How do I apply for a Parent Resident Visa?
In order to apply for a Parent Resident Visa, you will first have to submit an Expression of Interest. If you are succesful, you will then be invited by New Zealand Immigration to submit a full application.
There is a maximum quota of 2500 Parent Resident Visas that can be issued each year. Expressions of Interest are selected either by virtue of their position in a queue, or from a ballot pool.
Submitting an Expression of Interest typically costs around NZD $450. If you are invited to submit a full application, the precise fee will vary depending on your nationality, where you are applying from and whether you submit your application online or on paper. The cost can range from zero for some citizens of some countries up to NZD $5360.
80% of applications for this visa typically receive a decision within 12 months.
