New Zealand Parent Resident Visa Review: What Migrants Should Know

The New Zealand Government is expected to clarify the future of residence options for parents of migrants and other New Zealanders, following a review of the parent category resident visa settings. For many families, this is an important area of immigration policy because it affects whether parents may be able to join adult children in New Zealand on a long-term basis.

What has changed

According to reporting by RNZ and the Otago Daily Times, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford was still receiving advice on the review, with an announcement expected by the end of the following month. The review had been expected earlier in the year, so many families are closely watching for the Government’s next steps.

The key area expected to be considered is the ballot system for the Parent Category Resident Visa. This visa category is currently capped at 2,500 places a year. People who want to apply must first submit an Expression of Interest, or EOI. EOIs are then selected through a ballot, after which selected applicants may be invited to apply.

Immigration New Zealand figures reported in the article showed that 12,000 people had submitted an EOI in the previous two years, and about half of those EOIs involved couples. This indicates that demand for parent residence is well above the annual cap.

Some critics have described the ballot as a “lucky draw” and have argued that applications should instead be handled in chronological order. Others have called for the income requirements for sponsors to be reviewed. The article reported that the current income requirement is $109,200 a year to support one parent and at least $145,600 a year to support two parents. It also reported that the visa currently costs $5,810.

The article also noted concerns about duplicate EOIs. Government briefings reportedly showed that some families had submitted more than one EOI, possibly to improve their chances of selection, and lost the $550 EOI fee when a duplicate was identified and removed. Immigration New Zealand told the Minister that 18 duplicate EOIs were found before the February 2025 ballot draw, and that 54 EOIs had been declined as duplicates across seven previous ballot draws, with no refund provided.

What this means for migrants

At this stage, no final policy change has been announced in the source article. That means families should be careful not to assume that the ballot will be removed, that a queue will return, or that income requirements will change. The Government’s announcement will be important because it may affect how people plan a future New Zealand Visa pathway for their parents.

For families already in the Parent Category ballot pool, the review may be especially relevant. A change to the selection method could affect expectations around timing and process. However, until official instructions are released by Immigration New Zealand, the current settings should be treated as still applying.

The article also discussed the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, which was introduced as an alternative for parents wanting longer stays in New Zealand. This visa reportedly allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay for five years, with the possibility of renewal for another five years. It is not the same as residence and is subject to medical checks and health insurance requirements.

Reported uptake of the Parent Boost Visitor Visa has been lower than forecast. The article said 1,132 decisions had been made since the visa opened in September, with 873 approvals by the end of June. The Government had expected between 2,000 and 10,000 applications per year, with modelling based on 6,000 applications annually.

Cost appears to be one practical barrier. The article reported examples of annual health insurance premiums increasing with age, including $6,000 per person for people aged 60 to 69, $9,600 for people aged 70 to 79, and $14,000 for people aged 80 and over. Parents must also leave New Zealand to complete a health check after staying for three years.

For some families, the shorter-term parent and grandparent visitor visa may remain a more practical option. The article noted that many parents continue to use this pathway, which allows parents and grandparents to visit for up to 18 months over a three-year period, with a maximum stay of six months at a time.

What to do next

If you are hoping to bring a parent to New Zealand, the safest approach is to wait for the official announcement before making major decisions based on possible changes. Media reporting can help signal what may be under review, but final requirements are confirmed only when Immigration New Zealand publishes the relevant policy settings and operational guidance.

Families should also review their current position carefully. This includes checking whether an EOI has already been submitted, whether there is any risk of a duplicate EOI, whether the sponsor income settings are likely to be met, and whether a visitor visa option may be more suitable in the short term.

Because parent visa pathways can involve long timeframes, high costs and strict requirements, personalised advice can be helpful. Immigration Management can help you understand which pathway may fit your family circumstances and what information you should prepare before any announcement is made. You can get matched with a licensed immigration adviser for guidance suited to your situation.

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