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NZ Parent Visas

If you have children or grandchildren who are New Zealand citizens or residents, there are several pathways for you to join them in New Zealand. Here’s a detailed look at the three main types of parent visas available:

  • The Parent Resident Visa allows parents to live in New Zealand permanently, provided their child is a New Zealand citizen or resident and meets the sponsorship requirements.

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    Length of stay: Indefinitely
    Quota: 2,500 per year
    Application Cost: From NZD $5,810

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    With this visa you can:

    • Live, work, and study in New Zealand.

    • Include your partner in your residence application.

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    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Expression of Interest: Complete a ‘Parent Category Expression of Interest Form’ providing details about your identity, character, health, English ability, family, and your sponsor’s income.

    • Invitation to Apply: If selected from the pool, you’ll have 4 months to submit your residence application.

    • Health and Character Requirements: You and your partner must meet these.

    • English Language: Prove your ability with tests like IELTS or PTE Academic.

    • No Dependent Children: You must not have any dependent children.

    • Sponsorship: Your child must:

      • Be a New Zealand citizen or resident for at least 3 years.

      • Be 18 years or older.

      • Live in New Zealand and have spent at least 184 days there in each of the last 3 years.

      • Agree to meet your living costs for the first 10 years of your residence.

      • Provide Inland Revenue tax statements as evidence of their income.

  • The Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa allows parents and grandparents to visit their children or grandchildren in New Zealand for extended periods.

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    Length of stay: Up to 6 months at a time, with a maximum total stay of 18 months within 3 years
    Application Cost: From NZD $411
    Processing time: 80% within 11.5 weeks

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    With this visa you can:

    • Visit your children or grandchildren in New Zealand.

    • Travel in and out of New Zealand multiple times.

    • Include your partner in your visa application.

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    Requirements:

    • Meet Health and Character Requirements.

    • Have children or grandchildren who are New Zealand citizens or resident.

    • ​Be sponsored by your child or grandchild, or the parent of your child or grandchild.

    • Be living outside New Zealand.

    • Have genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand.

    • If bringing your partner, have evidence of your relationship, and of their good health
      and character.

    • Health Care: You must declare that you will cover any health care costs you incur in New Zealand.

    • Sponsorship - Your sponsor must:

      • ​be a New Zealand citizen or resident.

      • provide a certified copy of their New Zealand passport, birth certificate or certificate
        of citizenship, or New Zealand Resident Visa, or Australian passport.

      • be your child or grandchild, or their parent, if your child or grandchild is aged 17 or
        younger — and provide evidence of this relationship, for example, birth certificate,
        adoption papers or household registration paper.

      • meet our requirements for acceptable sponsors.

      • not be sponsoring anyone else.

  • The Parent Retirement Resident Visa allows parents to live in New Zealand permanently if they meet certain income and investment requirements.


    Length of stay: Indefinitely

    Application Cost: From NZD $12,850
    Processing time: Approval in principle 80% within 21 months

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    With this visa you can:

    • Live, work, and study in New Zealand.

    • Include your partner in your visa application.

    • Travel in and out of New Zealand for the first 2 years of your 4-year investment period

    • Apply for permanent residence after 4 years of keeping your funds invested in New Zealand.

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    Requirements:

    • ​Have an adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident living in New Zealand.

    • Have no dependent children.

    • Health and Character Requirements.

    • Have at least NZD $1 million to invest in New Zealand for 4 years, and at least NZD $500,000 for settlement.

    • Have earned or acquired your funds lawfully.

    • Transfer your investment funds to New Zealand.

    • Have an annual income of at least NZD $60,00.

    • Meet the other requirements of this visa.

Interested in applying for a New Zealand Parent Visa? Book a consultation with our lawyers for specialised assistance.

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