New Zealand•OceaniaPRV — Parent Resident Visa
At a Glance
10 months – 1 year
NZD $5,810
Indefinite
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Overview
Sponsored permanent residence for parents of New Zealand citizens or residents, awarded through a quarterly EOI ballot capped at 2,500 places per year.
The Parent Resident Visa (PRV), run by Immigration New Zealand, reunites parents with adult children who are NZ citizens or residents. Reopened on 12 October 2022 with a ballot replacing the earlier draw, qualification now rests on the sponsor: the adult child (or co-sponsors) must have lived in NZ 3+ years and earned at least NZD 109,200 in two 12-month periods within the last 3 years.
Applicants submit an Expression of Interest into a quarterly ballot capped at 2,500 places per year; selected EOIs are invited to apply. The residence application fee is NZD 5,360, plus a non-refundable EOI fee of NZD 450 online (NZD 575 on paper). The visa allows indefinite stay with work and study rights, includes a partner (no dependent children), and after 10 continuous years opens the path to a Permanent Resident Visa.
This visa is ideal for parents or grandparents of established NZ citizens or residents whose sponsoring child clears the high income threshold.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
Annual Cap & Quota
2,500 per year
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be sponsored by an adult child who is a NZ citizen or resident
Sponsor must have been a citizen/resident for at least 3 years
Sponsor must meet specific income thresholds
Applicant must have no dependent children
Must meet health and character requirements
Must meet English language requirements
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Income
109,200 NZD/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Current passport
Evidence of parent-child or legal-guardian relationship (birth/adoption certificates)
Sponsorship Form for Residence completed by the sponsoring child
Sponsor's Inland Revenue tax statements proving income over the two qualifying 12-month periods
Evidence the sponsor has lived in NZ for at least 3 years (184+ days each year)
Health certificates (medical and chest x-ray) per INZ requirements
Police/character certificates from each country of residence for 12+ months in last 10 years
Evidence of English language ability or proof of pre-purchased ESOL tuition
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Indefinite right to live, work and study in New Zealand from grant.
- Partner can be included and granted full work rights on the same application.
- Pathway to a Permanent Resident Visa after 10 continuous years.
- Access to most public services including subsidised healthcare and schooling.
- Quarterly ballot draws — no need to wait years for a one-off selection round.
- Sponsor can be a grandparent or legal guardian's adult child, broadening qualification.
- EOI is free to update or withdraw at any time before invitation.
Worth Knowing
- Capped at 2,500 places per year, selected from a quarterly ballot.
- Sponsor must earn at least NZD 109,200/year (1 sponsor, 1 parent) and prove via Inland Revenue tax statements.
- Total cost from NZD 5,810 plus a separate non-refundable EOI submission fee.
- Sponsor must have lived in NZ as citizen/resident for 3+ years with 184+ days each year.
- English language ability required, or applicant must pre-purchase ESOL tuition.
- Applicant with dependent children cannot apply on this visa.
- No qualifying adult-child sponsor in NZ meeting the residency and income thresholds.
- Failure to meet INZ health or character requirements.
Application Process
Check sponsor qualification
adult child must be NZ citizen/resident for 3+ years and meet the minimum sponsor income for the two qualifying 12-month periods
Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) online and pay the non-refundable EOI fee within 7 days
Wait for the quarterly ballot draw; EOIs stay in the pool up to 2 years
If selected, receive Invitation to Apply and complete the residence application (INZ 1206) within 4 months
Provide sponsor Sponsorship Form for Residence, IRD-based income evidence, and parent-child relationship documents
Provide health (chest x-ray/medical) and police certificates; demonstrate English or pre-purchase ESOL tuition
Pay the residence application fee of NZD 5,360 (NZD 1,940 fee + NZD 3,420 immigration levy)
Receive decision and, if approved, travel to NZ to activate the resident visa
Application Forms
| Parent Resident Visa Expression of Interest | — |
Related visas
More visas in New Zealand
Family visas in other countries
- Parent of a British or Settled Child Visa
United Kingdom
- Aged Parent Visa
Australia
- Visitor Visa (Guardian)
Kiribati
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