Not a Resident Visa; long-stay allowed with high income and insurance thresholds
Venkat Raman
Auckland, June 8, 2025
The New Zealand government has announced the Parent Boost Visa, a long-term visitor visa allowing parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay for up to five years, with the option to renew for another five years.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Immigration Minister Erica Standford announced at a public meeting held at Bruce Pulman Park in Takanini in the presence of Ethnic Communities Minister Mark Mitchell and Members of Parliament Rima Nakhle, Melissa Lee, Carlos Cheung, Nancy Lu (National) and Dr Parmjeet Parmar (ACT).
While this initiative aims to strengthen family connections and make New Zealand more attractive to skilled migrants, the stringent financial and health insurance requirements may pose significant challenges for middle-class Indian families.
For many Indian migrants in New Zealand, bringing their parents for extended stays has been a long-standing aspiration. However, the new visa comes with strict eligibility criteria, including high-income thresholds, substantial personal savings, and mandatory private health insurance. These requirements may make it difficult for middle-class families to benefit from the visa, despite its promise of long-term family reunification.
Incentives for skilled workers
Mr Luxon said that the new Parent Boost Visa will be an incentive for skilled people to choose New Zealand as their work destination.
“The Parent Boost Visa will ensure that we continue to attract the right people with the skills this country needs and will deliver significant economic and social benefits for all New Zealanders. The government is delivering on its commitment to support parents living offshore to visit and stay with their families in New Zealand for longer,” he said.
Ms Stanford said that a longer-term visitor visa for parents is an important consideration for migrants who are deciding where they want to build their lives.
“Whether it be welcoming a new child, additional support during health challenges or providing childcare so parents can work, there is nothing quite like having family support close by. We are proud to deliver this coalition agreement between National and ACT, which will make the New Zealand proposition more appealing and more competitive,” she said.
Income thresholds
Effective September 29, 2025, the Parent Boost Visa will allow parents to enter and exit New Zealand multiple times within the visa duration. The initial visa grants a stay of up to five years, with the possibility of renewal for another five years. However, it does not provide a pathway to permanent residency. This means that while parents can stay for an extended period, they will not be eligible for residency or public healthcare benefits.
One of the most significant hurdles for middle-class Indian families is the financial requirement. To sponsor a parent, the sponsor must earn at least the New Zealand median wage ($33.56 per hour). If two sponsors are involved, their combined income must be at least 1.5 times the median wage. This requirement increases further if additional parents are sponsored. Alternatively, parents must have a personal income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation, which is currently set at approximately $32,611 per annum for a single parent and $49,552 for a couple. If parents do not meet the income requirement, they must hold sufficient personal funds, amounting to $160,000 for a single applicant or $250,000 for a couple.
For many middle-class Indian families, these financial thresholds may be difficult to meet. The cost of living in New Zealand is already high and meeting the income requirement while supporting a family can be challenging.
Additionally, accumulating the required savings may not be feasible for many parents, particularly those who have retired or do not have substantial financial assets.
Health Insurance
Another major requirement is comprehensive private health insurance. Applicants must maintain valid health insurance for the entire duration of their stay in New Zealand. The insurance must cover emergency medical care, repatriation, return of remains, and cancer treatment. The minimum coverage required for emergency medical care is $250,000 per year, while cancer treatment must be covered up to $100,000. Failure to maintain valid health insurance could result in visa cancellation or deportation.
For middle-class Indian families, securing private health insurance that meets these criteria can be costly. Many Indian parents rely on government healthcare in India, which is significantly more affordable than private insurance in New Zealand. The requirement to maintain continuous private health insurance for up to ten years adds a financial burden that may be difficult for families to sustain.
Applicants must also undergo two health assessments, first during the initial application and again in the third year of their visa. These assessments ensure that applicants meet New Zealand’s health standards. While this requirement is intended to protect public health services, it adds another layer of complexity to the application process.
Applications for the Parent Boost Visa will open on September 29, 2025. Further details regarding the application process will be released closer to the date. While the visa offers a long-term solution for family reunification, the financial and health insurance requirements may limit accessibility for middle-class Indian families.
Demand for flexibility
The Indian community in New Zealand has long advocated for more flexible visa options for parents. Many Indian migrants face challenges in bringing their parents to New Zealand due to existing visa restrictions. The Parent Boost Visa is expected to benefit Indian families by allowing parents to stay longer and provide essential support, such as childcare and emotional well-being. However, the financial and insurance requirements may exclude a significant portion of the community from taking advantage of this opportunity.
