
RESIDENCE VISAS
Parent Information
The following information provides a general overview of Parent Visa policy. Please note that this information does not replace or constitute immigration advice from a licensed immigration adviser.

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Parent Category
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Adult children who are New Zealand citizens or residents may be able to sponsor you.
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Sponsorship requires your child to meet a minimum income threshold and to be able to support you financially for the first ten years following approval.
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Applicant Checklist
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A limited number of parents are permitted to join their adult children who have already settled in New Zealand.
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Applicants must meet the following requirements:
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In the first 10 years of living in New Zealand, be sponsored by an adult child who will provide accommodation and financial support for their parent(s).
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The sponsoring child (and possibly their partner) must demonstrate a high annual income to support their parent(s) during at least two of the three years just before applying.
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Have no dependent children.
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Be of good health and character.
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Each year, only 1,000 parents are approved. Application processes are complex, and delays are common. A temporary pause has been placed on this category, pending the reopening of the government. Several changes are expected to be made to the current policy.
Taking advice can help you avoid disappointment.
Parent Retirement Category
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Parents can join adult children living in New Zealand under this fast-track category. In addition to providing evidence of assets and income, parents must commit to making investments in New Zealand over a four-year period.
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At least one child of the parent(s) must reside permanently in New Zealand. There is no minimum residency period.
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The parent(s) should have no dependent children.
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The parent(s) should be able to invest NZ$1,000,000 for a minimum period of 4 years.
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The parent(s) should be able to demonstrate that, in addition, they have at least $500,000 in available assets to assist in their immediate settlement costs and at least $60,000 per annum regularly available income with which to support themselves.
The Route To Parent Residence
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In order to obtain a Parent Visa or a Parent Retirement Visa, different requirements must be met.
Parent approvals are limited by an annual quota, whereas Parent Retirement is unlimited. There can be a lot of paperwork involved, and this can make following regulatory processes difficult.
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Don't hesitate to contact us if you require assistance in navigating these complicated conditions.
NZIHS can help you navigate the Parent categories in New Zealand, which can seem confusing at first glance.
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General Comments
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Immigration procedures are always applicable, even when families expect the rules to be bent to accommodate respected parents. Health standards are very high even for elderly parents. It is imperative that you contact NZIHS at the beginning of the process so that we can identify the issues early and help you to resolve them.