The New Zealand Government has announced a new long-term, multi-entry visitor visa for parents of highly skilled migrants to help unite families.
Under the Parent Boost multiple-entry visitor visa announced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford yesterday, parents of New Zealand citizens and residents will be allowed to visit for up to 5 years. Applicants may apply for a second visa, enabling a total stay of up to 10 years, provided they continue to meet all eligibility requirements including that of health, income, and insurance.
Applications for new Parent Boost visa – intended to support migrant family connections, open on 29 September this year.
According to Prime Minister Luxon, “we need to incentivise skilled migrants to choose New Zealand,” and the new visa was part of the drive to attract even more skilled migrants and their families to New Zealand, which will help drive economic growth.
“It’s so important to our migrant community, when we know how hard they work, and what they’re doing to try and raise their families and strengthen their communities, and we want to be able to support them in this way,” he said.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said a longer-term visitor visa for parents was an “important consideration” for migrants when choosing where to build their lives.
The new visa is not a pathway to residence, but offers a “meaningful way for families to spend time together over the long term.” For those seeking permanent residency, they should be submitting an expression of interest under the Parent Category Resident Visa.
Those applying for Parent Boost Visa must have an eligible sponsor who is a New Zealand citizen or resident (or their biological or adopted child) and sponsor must also agree to take on specific responsibilities for the full duration of the visa.
The sponsor must meet the high financial threshold or the parents should have a personal income equivalent to NZ Superannuation currently NZD $32,611.28 gross per annum for a single parent and NZD $49,552.88 for a couple, or the parent(s) to have sufficient personal funds – NZD $160,000 for a single applicant or NZD $250,000 for a couple to support themselves for the duration of their visa
Applicants also must hold at least 1 year of adequate health insurance including to cover emergency medical care, and cancer treatment, and insurance should be valid for the entire duration of their stay in New Zealand.
The cost of the visa will be NZD $3,000 for most applicants in addition to the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of NZD $100.
