New Zealand Parent Resident Visa: Sponsor Your Parents

The Parent Resident Visa permits New Zealand citizens and residents to sponsor their parents for permanent residency, supporting skilled migration. To qualify, the sponsoring child must be a New Zealand citizen or resident, earn a sufficient income, and agree to sponsor the parent.

Application Steps:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI): Start by submitting an EOI to Immigration New Zealand (INZ). If your EOI meets the required criteria and is selected, you will receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA). Only those who receive an ITA can submit a residence application within four months. The application fee for this visa starts at NZD $3,180.
2. Visa Allocation:
   • INZ allocates up to 2,000 visas annually for EOIs submitted before the resumption of selections on October 10, 2022. These EOIs are processed in the order received, with older EOIs being prioritized.
   • For EOIs submitted from October 10, 2022, onward, up to 500 visas are available each year through a random ballot process. These EOIs are valid for two years from submission.
   • Once all EOIs submitted before October 10, 2022, are processed, the full quota of 2,500 visas will be available through the ballot system.
3. Updated Policy Requirements:
   • Sponsors must earn at least 1.5 times the New Zealand median wage, with the amount increasing by half the median wage for each additional joint sponsor or parent.
   • Two adult children can now jointly sponsor a parent, rather than just one adult child and their partner.
   • If you submitted an EOI before October 12, 2022, you may withdraw or update it.
4. EOI Selection Process:
   • A ballot is conducted every three months—in February, May, August, and November—usually on the second Tuesday of the month.
   • To be included in a selection, submit your EOI by the end of the preceding month (e.g., by July 31 for the August ballot).
   • INZ selects enough EOIs to meet the annual cap of 500 visas. EOIs are valid for two years and can be submitted online or on paper.
   • Selected EOIs undergo a verification process, typically completed in about two weeks. You will either receive an invitation to apply for residence or be notified if your EOI was declined.

Alternative Visa Options:

If you have dependent children, you are not eligible for the Parent Resident Visa. However, you can apply for a Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, which provides a three-year visa with multiple-entry conditions.