Temporary Visa Options for Parents and Grandparents

Parents and grandparents who wish to visit or spend time with family in New Zealand temporarily currently have the following visa options to consider:

• General Visitor Visa – Allows visits up to nine months, with either single or multiple entries. This option suits those seeking a shorter stay or a faster processing time. It is available to parents and grandparents of both New Zealanders and temporary visa holders. Applicants intending to stay in New Zealand for six months or less are not required to provide a Chest X-ray Certificate from an approved panel physician, while those staying for more than 12 months must provide a General Medical Certificate.

• Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa – Valid for three years, this visa permits multiple visits of up to six months at a time, with a total allowable stay of 18 months during the three-year period. Although each visit is limited to six months, it offers the advantage of avoiding the need to re-apply for general visitor visas during its validity. It is available to parents and grandparents of New Zealand citizens or residents.

• Parent Boost Visitor Visa – Introduced on 29 September 2025, this new visa allows eligible parents of New Zealand citizens or residents to stay for up to five years, with the option to renew for another five. Unlike the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, it is generally limited to parents of New Zealanders, although grandparents may qualify where the sponsor’s parents are deceased.

When preparing a visitor visa application for parents and grandparents, it is important to be ware of common risk factors, including:

• Bona fide applicant and genuine intention to return home — Immigration New Zealand (INZ) must be satisfied that the applicant genuinely intends a temporary stay and will depart New Zealand before their visa expires. Evidence of the purpose for coming to New Zealand and commitments or ties in the home country, such as property, family commitments, employment and other commitments, are often considered by INZ when assessing the bona fide applicant requirement.

• Health or medical risks — Older applicants may have certain medical conditions that might not meet INZ’s “acceptable standard of health”. This means they must be unlikely to be a danger to public health or to impose significant costs or demands on New Zealand’s health services during their intended stay, not just the applicant’s current state of health. If your parent has a health condition, it is worth seeking advice on whether it meets INZ’s health standards and whether a shorter visa duration might reduce potential health costs concerns. For the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, mid-visa health checks (after three years) must be completed outside of New Zealand, and visa holders are also required to maintain valid health insurance throughout their stay.

• Financial requirements and sponsorship — Either the parent or the sponsor must demonstrate sufficient funds to support their stay. Sponsors are responsible to meet the costs of health, welfare and medical treatment of their parents if needed, especially those who do not have an insurance. For the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, sponsors must meet specific income thresholds (individually or jointly), and parents are required to maintain acceptable insurance cover during their stay.

• Compliance history — A history of overstaying or previous visa breaches can materially affect the likelihood of approval and lead to additional scrutiny or refusal, particularly when assessing whether the applicant meets the “bona fide applicant” requirement.

We are delighted that many of our clients’ parents will soon be enjoying precious time with their families here in New Zealand. These recent approvals highlight the value of well-prepared, well-documented applications and the positive results that come from professional guidance.

If you are planning to bring your parents or grandparents to New Zealand, understanding the visa options and INZ’s eligibility criteria is essential. Each case is unique, so tailored advice can make a significant difference in the outcome.

Congratulations to our clients, their parents, and our dedicated immigration team for achieving these outstanding results.

Please note: The information above does not constitute legal advice. Each visa application is assessed on its own facts and merits. For more information on temporary visas, you can visit INZ’s website. 

If you would like to discuss your circumstances or explore your visa options, contact our team at info@adventark.co.nz or call 09 969 1493 to speak with one of our immigration lawyers and specialists.