Parent Visiting NZ: Compare Three options
Planning for your parents to visit New Zealand starts with how long they want to stay, how often they expect to travel and what your family can support. Three common options are the Visitor Visa, the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, and the Parent Boost Visitor Visa.
Which option fits your family's plans?
Visa | Typical purpose | Stay arrangements |
General Visitor Visa (multiple-entry) | Shorter family visits, including repeat trips. | The permitted stay for each visit is stated in the visa conditions, with a maximum total stay of six months in any 12-month period. |
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa (PGVV) | Family visits of up to six months at a time, including repeat trips. | Multiple entries over up to three years, with a maximum of six months per entry and 18 months in total during the three-year visa period. |
Parent Boost Visitor Visa | Longer visits for parents of eligible New Zealand citizens or residents. | Up to five years with multiple entries, subject to ongoing conditions and a required offshore health and insurance check. |
General Visitor Visa: shorter stays, with repeat visits
A general Visitor Visa may suit parents planning shorter stays with family. When granted with multiple-entry conditions, it also allows repeat visits while the visa remains valid. The key difference from the PGVV is the permitted stay: check the length allowed for each visit on the visa, and keep the combined time in New Zealand within six months in any 12-month period.
Applicants need to demonstrate a genuine visit, adequate funding or acceptable sponsorship, suitable plans to leave New Zealand, and the relevant health and character requirements. General Visitor Visas can also be issued for a single entry; the comparison here concerns the multiple-entry option. INZ's Visitor Visa stay rules.
Having children in New Zealand helps explain the visit, but the application still needs to establish the parents' own circumstances and intentions.
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa (PGVV): up to six months per visit
This category requires an eligible family connection and sponsor. Applications are made from outside New Zealand, and the category has specific medical requirements.
The PGVV allows multiple entries, with up to six months on each entry and a maximum total stay of 18 months during the three-year visa period. Both the PGVV and a multiple-entry general Visitor Visa allow repeat visits. When choosing between them, compare the permitted length of each stay, the cumulative stay limit and the sponsorship and health requirements. INZ's PGVV requirements.
Parent Boost: plan for the whole visa period
Parent Boost requires an eligible sponsor and the applicable financial, health and character requirements. Financial eligibility may be met through qualifying sponsor income, the parents' own ongoing income or qualifying available funds, depending on the rules.
Acceptable medical or travel insurance must be maintained during time in New Zealand. Holders must also complete the required health and insurance compliance check offshore and remain outside New Zealand until INZ confirms compliance. Budget for future insurance premiums and the travel needed for that check.
A second Parent Boost visa may be available if the requirements are met again. Parent Boost itself does not grant residence. Review INZ's Parent Boost requirements.
How we help you choose
We compare the travel plans, sponsorship position, funds, health considerations and visa history. We then explain the evidence needed and prepare the appropriate application within the agreed scope.
For an initial discussion, prepare the parents' passports and travel history, your New Zealand status, proposed visit dates, funding arrangements and relevant health information.
Plan a family visit with clear next steps: Book a free initial consultation.
General information only. The granted visa conditions determine permitted travel and stay.
Related guides
If your parents hope to settle in New Zealand, explore the Parent Retirement Resident Visa and its separate family and financial requirements.
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