Visas for parents of New Zealand citizens or residents

The Parent Category and the Parent Retirement Category

New Zealand offers two distinct pathways for parents of New Zealand citizens or residents (adult children) to migrate to the country.

These policies are designed for different financial situations and provide opportunities for families to reunite.

If you have a child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident you may be able to join your family in New Zealand.

A Parent Resident Visa will allow you to live, work or study in New Zealand and stay here indefinitely.

New Zealand consistently ranks highly in key areas for quality of life:
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Our Principal Immigration Adviser Dr. Carsten Hallwass explains the Parent Category and the Parent Retirement Category, highlighting their key features and requirements:

The Parent Resident Visa

This policy relies on the sponsor's income rather than the parent's financial resources.

Key features:
               
Eligibility is based on the sponsoring adult child's income in New Zealand;             
Applications are subject to a ballot system;              
Selections from the applicant pool occur periodically .              

The outcome can be unpredictable, making it challenging to plan with certainty.
The ballot system introduces an element of chance to the process.
While this approach aims to ensure fairness, it also means that there's no guarantee of selection, even if all other criteria are met.

For families considering this option, it's important to view it as a potential opportunity rather than a guaranteed pathway.
The Parent Retirement Resident Visa
Currently New Zealand's best investor policy!

The Parent Retirement Category is tailored for financially independent parents who wish to retire in New Zealand.

This policy focuses on the applicant's ability to make a significant investment in New Zealand.

Requirements:    
         
Applicants must have a net wealth of at least NZ$1.5 million;              
NZ$1 million must be invested in New Zealand for a minimum of four years;                
The remaining NZ$500,000 is designated as "settlement funds" and can remain in its current location.

Key advantages:

Currently offers the most favourable investment terms among New Zealand's investor programs;
Provides flexibility in investment options;
Lower investment threshold compared to other programs.

The Parent Retirement Category stands out for its relatively accessible investment requirements.
Unlike other investor programs that may demand higher amounts or restrict investment to specific sectors like start-ups, this category allows applicants to choose from a range of "acceptable investments."

This flexibility, combined with the lower investment threshold, makes it an attractive option for many potential immigrants.

This option allows you to live, work and study in New Zealand permanently. You may include your partner in this application and can apply for permanent residence after 4 years.

Carsten compares the two Pathways for parents of New Zealanders:

Considering these two options, families should weigh several factors:

Financial situation:

The Parent Category may be more suitable for those with limited financial resources but with children earning a good income in New Zealand. The Parent Retirement Category is ideal for those with significant assets looking for investment opportunities.

Certainty:

The Parent Retirement Category offers a predictable path, provided the financial requirements are met. The Parent Category's ballot system introduces an element of uncertainty.

Timeline:

The Parent Retirement Category may offer a faster route for those who can meet the investment criteria, while the Parent Category's timeline can vary depending on the selection process.

Long-term plans:

The Parent Retirement Category requires a significant financial commitment to New Zealand, which may align with plans for permanent settlement. The Parent Category might be more suitable for those seeking family reunification without a major financial investment.




Carsten concludes:

"New Zealand's parent immigration policies offer diverse options for different family situations and financial capacities.
The Parent Category provides an opportunity for family reunification based on the sponsor's income, but with the uncertainty of a ballot system.
The Parent Retirement Category, on the other hand, offers a more predictable path for financially independent parents willing to make a substantial investment in New Zealand.
Ask our Immigration Advisers for guidance. Together with you, we will carefully consider all circumstances, and keep you informed about any policy updates to make the best "

Whether you want to retire to New Zealand to make the most of your retirement years or join your family, New Zealand Immigration Concepts can help you to apply for the right visa.

Carsten invites you to book a call with him to talk about further details of these policies and find out if you can retire to New Zealand.

Just mention your plan to retire in New Zealand in our Free Assessment form.

You may also be interested in:

Looking to retire in New Zealand?

Complete our Free Assessment to ask our Licensed Immigration Advisers which retirement pathway to New Zealand is right for you.
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The great work done before has surely helped to achieve this quick positive result. NZIC are really professional and know what to do when to do it and how to do it. I would like to thank them again for their help and support.  Thank you.  Kind Regards.

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Anna was worth her weight in gold---she was fantastic at helping me format my CV and search for jobs that suited my skill set.  In the end, I got a great job in a great city.  Carsten and his team were very thorough and helpful when it came time to apply for and get our visas. They are now helping us with our resident visas, and I'm certain that the process will be the same. I'd recommend them highly.

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