Parent Resident Visa
The Parent Resident Visa is residence for the parent or grandparent of a New Zealand citizen or resident. Immigration New Zealand describes it this way: “This visa allows for a parent, grandparent or legal guardian of a New Zealand citizen or resident to live in New Zealand.” It costs from NZD $5,810.
Checked against immigration.govt.nz on 2026-09-15
What Immigration New Zealand publishes
- Length of stay
- Live, work and study
- indefinitely
- Cost
- From
- NZD $5810
- Visas available
- Each year
- 2,500
Copied from the Parent Resident Visa page at immigration.govt.nz on 2026-09-15. Figures change without notice.
To apply you must
- be sponsored by your child (or children) who is a New Zealand citizen or resident and who earns enough money
- send us an expression of interest (EOI) — if it is selected, we will invite you to apply
- speak and understand English, or pay for lessons
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
INZ’s own wording, unedited.
This visa lets you
- live, work and study in New Zealand
- include your partner in your visa application
- apply for permanent residence after having this visa for at least 10 years in a row.
INZ’s own wording, unedited.
Where to apply
You apply to Immigration New Zealand, not to us. The Parent Resident Visa page carries the application link, the full requirements and the current fee.
Questions about the Parent Resident Visa
What does the Parent Resident Visa cost?
Immigration New Zealand publishes a cost of NZD $5,810 for this visa, as the "from" figure — the lowest published amount. Medicals, police certificates, translations and any adviser's fee are separate. Checked on 2026-09-15; confirm on the INZ page.
How long does the Parent Resident Visa take?
Immigration New Zealand does not publish a processing time on this visa's page. Check the INZ page.
Who can apply for the Parent Resident Visa?
INZ's own summary is: "This visa allows for a parent, grandparent or legal guardian of a New Zealand citizen or resident to live in New Zealand." The published criteria are listed above, word for word. Whether any particular person meets them is a question for Immigration New Zealand, or for a licensed immigration adviser or a New Zealand lawyer — not for this site.
Where do I apply?
On Immigration New Zealand's own website. Start at Parent Resident Visa. Applying through this site is not possible: we are an information site and we cannot lodge or handle an application.
Can NZ Visas tell me whether I qualify?
No, and we would be breaking the law if we did. Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, telling somebody how the rules apply to their own immigration matter is licensed work. We republish the published rules and stop there. More on where that line sits.
Sources
Read on 2026-09-15. Immigration rules change: if this page and the source disagree, the source is right.
Once you have a decision
Getting the visa is one job; landing here is another. Our settling-in guides cover the IRD number, a bank account, a rental, schools, a doctor and a driver licence — all free, and all separate from anything to do with your visa.