In an ever-changing immigration landscape, the Minister of Immigration has recently announced a new ‘Parent Boost’ Visitor Visa which will allow the parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to visit New Zealand for up to 5 years, with a further application possible to extend the stay to a total of 10 years.

In her Press Release dated 08 June 2025, Minister Erica Stanford says ‘we know that a longer-term visitor visa for parents is an important consideration for migrants who are deciding where they want to build their lives’. The Immigration New Zealand website says ‘this visa is designed to support family connections without placing additional strain on public services. It is not a pathway to residence, but it does offer a meaningful way for families to spend time together over the long term’.

If you, or someone you know, needs professional assistance with an NZ immigration issue, contact us to talk about it. In our position as immigration legal specialists, and through my role as Chairman of the NZAMI this year, we have insight into what is coming, what the hurdles and risks are, and how to fix those that can be fixed.

Simon Laurent

Principal

slaurent@laurentlaw.co.nz

The Minister of Immigration, Erica Stanford announced the new Parent Boost Visitor Visa on 08 June 2025. The key requirements for the Visa are:

-           Applicants must have an eligible sponsor who is a New Zealand citizen or resident and that sponsor must agree to take on responsibilities for the full duration of the Visa, including covering essential costs, ensuring access to health and financial support, and covering costs related to repatriation or deportation if required.

-           Applicants must meet financial criteria. Either, the sponsor earns at least the New Zealand median wage (1.5 times the median wage to sponsor 2 parents), or the parents have a personal income equivalent to New Zealand superannuation, or the parents have sufficient personal funds (NZD$160,000 for a single applicant or NZD$250,000 for a couple).

-           Applicants must maintain health insurance for the entire duration of the Visa which covers emergency medical care, repatriation, return of remains and cancer treatment.

There have been some differing views on the announcement, with some on the political spectrum saying the financial requirements ‘lock out’ many.

However, it does seem that the new Visa brings some real, tangible benefit to many migrants. See for example, a news article reporting on a South African woman who fears her mother will never be able to come to New Zealand under the Parent Residence category, which is currently operating using a random selection. While the family waits, they are sending her mother in South Africa ‘exorbitant amounts of money to house her, feed her and sort out her medical care’. The new Parent Boost Visitor Visa will provide an option for families such as this.

Applications for the new Visa open on 29 September 2025.  

Starting 18 August 2025, ten in-demand trades will be added to the Work to Residence pathway on New Zealand’s Green List. This change allows eligible tradespeople to apply for residence after working in New Zealand for 24 months in one of the listed roles.

The new eligible occupations are:

Metal Fabricator, Metal Machinist (First Class), Fitter (General), Fitter and Turner, Fitter Welder, Pressure Welder, Welder, Panel Beater, Vehicle Painter, and Paving Plant Operator.

To apply, individuals must:

• Have a job or job offer in one of the listed occupations
• Be aged 55 or under
• Meet health, character, and English language requirements
• Earn the required wage and have the relevant NZ work experience

Minimum pay thresholds include $43.63/hour (or $90,750 a year based on a 40-hour week) for fitter, welder, and machinist roles, and $38.59/hour (or $80,267 a year) for panel beaters, vehicle painters, and paving plant operators.

The Green List pathway is designed to attract highly skilled workers, and eligibility for these roles includes meeting specific wage thresholds. These thresholds are set to ensure that applicants have the experience and qualifications required to contribute at a high level in their field to support New Zealand’s workforce needs.