Parent visa

If the applicant is a parent of a New Zealand citizen or Permanent Resident who has been in New Zealand  at least three years, the applicant will be eligible to lodge an application under Family visa category for a Residence visa as a Parent.

The basic requirements for a parent to qualify are:

• The applicant is the parent of an adult child 17 or over who is a New Zealand citizen/resident, AND
• the "centre of gravity" of the  family is in New Zealand.  The "centre of gravity" -  New Zealand refers to the centre of gravity in determining if a parent is eligible for immigration. This refers to the location of your children. We have prepared an easy to understand table to help you find out if you meet the center of gravity requirement and are eligible for a visa.

The sponsor (applicant’s son or daughter) should also meet certain requirements to sponsor the parent.

• Sponsor must be 17 or over
• Sponsor must in New Zealand
• Sponsor must be a citizen/resident not subject to the requirements of section 18A of the Immigration Act 1987
• Sponsor must have been a New Zealand/Australian citizen/ resident for at least three (3) years immediately before the date of your application
• And in each of the three 12-month portions within that three-year period, the sponsor has spent a total of 184 days or more in New Zealand.
• Sponsor must be willing and eligible to ensure financial support and accommodation is provided if necessary for the first 24 months of the stay.

Grandparents and legal guardians - Under certain conditions, grandparents and legal guardians can be treated as parents. The conditions are as follows:

• Grandparents - If both the sponsor's parents are deceased, one grandparent and spouse can be sponsored under the Parent policy.

Legal guardians -  If both the sponsor's parents died before the sponsor was 20 AND the legal guardian was granted custody and the right to control the sponsor's upbringing before the age of 20. Then the legal guardian and partner may apply under the parent policy.