Parent Resident Visa
🇳🇿 New Zealand visas · Family
What it is
Ballot-based residence visa for parents of adult NZ citizens or residents. Only 2,500 visas available per year. Requires an Expression of Interest entered into a quarterly ballot. Sponsoring child must meet income and residency requirements.
Key facts
- Category
- Family
- Duration
- Indefinite (travel conditions expire after 10 years)
- Processing time
- 3 months
- Extendable
- No
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Yes
- English requirement
- speak and understand English, or pay for lessons
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee
- NZD 5,810
Key requirements
- Sponsoring child aged 18+ who is a NZ citizen/resident with 3+ years status
- Sponsoring child earns sufficient income (based on NZ median wage)
- Sponsoring child has lived in NZ 184+ days annually for 3 years prior
- Speak and understand English (or pay for lessons)
- Good health and character
- Submit EOI and be selected in quarterly ballot
- Cannot have dependent children
- Sponsoring child agrees to cover living costs for first 10 years
Working on this visa
full work rights (resident visa)
Bringing family
Can include your partner.
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 26 July 2026.