New Zealand is expanding the quota for obtaining a parental visa in 2025. Find out how many foreigners will be able to obtain this permit this year, what are the requirements, the current application procedure and deadlines

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In the 2024/2025 financial year, which ends on 30 June 2025, the New Zealand Immigration Minister has approved a one-off increase in the New Zealand Parent Visa quota, allowing an additional 331 permits to be issued above the standard annual limit of 2500 visas.

Read this article to find out who is eligible for a New Zealand Parent Visa and what the current application process is.

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Increase in New Zealand Parent Visa Quota in 2025

In 2024-2025, New Zealand has set the following parent visa quotas:

- Queue-based applications

The allocation of queue-based applications has increased from 2000 to 2331 visas during this financial year.

- Ballot-based applications

The number of ballot-based applications has remained at 500 visas.

Who is eligible for additional New Zealand parent visas?

The additional 331 visa is for applicants who have already received approval in principle.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will contact these foreign nationals or their migration advisors to confirm their intention to continue with the updated quota.

Important! This increase does not apply to new applications or applications submitted through the ballot system, as the ballot cap remains fixed at 500 visas for the current financial year.

Future New Zealand Parent Visa Quotas

The Parent Resident Visa quota for the 2025/2026 financial year will return to the standard 2500 visas, of which:

- 2000 will be allocated to queue-based applications;

- 500 to ballot-based applications.

Who is eligible for a New Zealand Parent Visa?

A New Zealand Parent Visa allows foreign nationals to reunite with their children who are citizens or residents of New Zealand.

To apply for this visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Have a sponsoring child who is a citizen or resident of New Zealand.

2. Meet certain sponsorship and financial requirements.

3. Follow the application and selection process set out by INZ.

Sponsorship requirements for a New Zealand Parent Visa

On 12 October 2022, New Zealand reintroduced the Parent Visa program with important changes to the sponsorship requirements:

1. Two adult children can now pool their income to sponsor their parents, instead of just one child and their partner being sponsors.

2. Income requirements for sponsors have been reduced from twice the average wage to 1.5 times the average wage.

From 28 February 2025, the average wage in New Zealand will be NZ$69,804.80, which affects the income requirements for sponsors:

- Single applicant – NZ$104,707.20.

- Sponsorship by two parents – NZ$139,609.60.

In addition to income, to be an eligible sponsor, an individual must be a New Zealand citizen or resident and have lived in the country for at least three years.

If sponsored jointly with a partner, the spouses must have lived together for a minimum of 12 months.

Sponsors must meet the income requirements for two of the three years prior to submitting the EOI.

How to apply for a New Zealand Parent Visa?

There are two ways to apply and be selected for the Parent Resident Visa program:

- Queue-based applications

Applicants submit an expression of interest for the permit, which is processed in chronological order based on financial and sponsorship requirements. Invitations to Apply (ITA) are issued accordingly. INZ typically provides 2,000 visas to applicants under this system.

- Ballot-based applications

EOIs are issued through a random draw. Selected applicants are invited to apply for residency. This is typically 500 visas per year.

The application process starts with an Expression of Interest (EOI). EOIs are selected randomly through a ballot system every three months. Selection rounds are held in February, May, August and November, usually on the second Tuesday of the month. Expressions of Interest must be submitted by the last day of the previous month.

Next steps for obtaining a New Zealand parent visa after applicant approval

Applicants who have been approved for a parent resident visa through the queue system should:

1. Monitor notifications – check correspondence from INZ regularly via registered email or through immigration consultants.

2. Confirm consent – ​​confirm your decision to proceed.

3. Prepare documentation – ensure all required documents are up to date and follow any additional instructions from INZ.

New Zealand Parent Visa Application Package

To apply for a New Zealand Parent Visa, you will usually need to provide a number of documents to prove your eligibility.

The documents required may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the visa you are applying for, but generally these are the main documents:

1. Identification

- Valid passport

- Birth certificate

- Passport-sized photographs

2. Proof of family ties

- Child's New Zealand birth certificate (showing full name, date of birth and citizenship status)

- Evidence of your child's citizenship or residence in New Zealand (e.g. New Zealand passport or residence visa)

3. Health and character documents

- Medical certificate

- Criminal record clearance

- Chest X-ray and medical examination – may be required to check for certain medical conditions.

4. Financial evidence

- Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay. This may include evidence of savings, assets or income from your New Zealand sponsor (your child).

- Proof of income from your New Zealand child if they are sponsoring you, such as bank statements or payslips.

5. Sponsor documents (if applicable)

- Completed sponsor forms – your child must provide a written guarantee of financial support, known as a “sponsorship”.

- Sponsor citizenship or residency details – proof that your child is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.

- Sponsor financial details – evidence that your child can support you, including payslips, tax returns and bank statements.

6. Visa Application Form

Completed visa application form

7. Supporting documents (if applicable)

8. Application fee

Payment of visa application fees as required by Immigration New Zealand.

The required documents may vary depending on your specific circumstances, so please consult a migration lawyer to ensure you have the most up-to-date information on visa requirements.

The temporary increase in the Resident Parent Visa quota is intended to address the backlog of applications, facilitating family reunification for New Zealand residents and citizens.

Applicants are advised to be attentive to communications from INZ and to follow all procedural requirements to ensure a smooth visa process.

Reminder! From 10 March 2025, New Zealand is introducing significant changes to its Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program to increase flexibility and attract skilled migrants. We’ve already told you about the key updates coming to foreign nationals very soon.

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