NZ Parent Visa Guide: Visit Children & Grandchildren

Key Takeaways:

The New Zealand Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa allows multiple entries for up to three years, including bringing a partner along.
Eligibility requires good health and character, genuine visit intentions, sponsorship by a New Zealand citizen/resident, and covering healthcare costs.
Documents needed include proof of identity, health, police clearance, genuine intentions, sponsorship validation, and family relationship evidence.

What is the New Zealand Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa?

The Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa allows individuals to visit their children and grandchildren in New Zealand. This particular visa offers the wonderful benefit of multiple entries, meaning you can come and go from New Zealand as often as you like during the validity period. With this visa, you can stay for up to three years and even bring your partner along, provided they meet the necessary criteria.

NZ Parent Visa Guide: Visit Children & Grandchildren

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for the Parent and Grandparent Visa NZ?

To qualify for the New Zealand Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, you need to meet specific eligibility requirements. It’s important to ensure you cover all the aspects listed below:

Good Health: You need to be in good health. This often involves a medical examination and a chest X-ray.
Good Character: A police certificate might be required, especially if you have lived in New Zealand for over six months.
Genuine Intentions: Your visit must genuinely be to see your children or grandchildren in New Zealand.
Sponsorship: You must be sponsored by your child, grandchild, or their New Zealand parent.
Healthcare Costs: You must be able to cover the cost of any healthcare you may require during your stay.

Who Can Sponsor You for the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa?

Your sponsor plays a crucial role in the application process. They must meet certain criteria to be eligible to sponsor you:

Citizenship or Residency Status: They must be a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Age: They should be 18 years or older.
Sponsorship Capacity: They must meet the requirements for acceptable sponsors and not be sponsoring anyone else.

Your sponsor will need to complete the ‘Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry’. This form is a critical part of your application, so ensure you gather the required documents to prove their sponsorship.

What Documents Are Required for the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa NZ?

Documentation is vital for a successful visa application. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you need:

Proof of Identity

Passport or Certificate of Identity: Provide a copy of your passport if applying online or the original passport if applying in person.
Photos: Submit photos that meet the New Zealand visa photo requirements.

Proof of Good Health

A chest X-ray and medical examination are generally required unless you have submitted medical certificates to New Zealand Immigration in the last 36 months.

Police Certificate

If you’ve lived in New Zealand for over six months and haven’t submitted a police certificate from your home country, you will need to provide one.

Proof of Genuine Intentions

To demonstrate your genuine intention to visit, you must provide evidence such as:

Travel History: Copies of current and recent passports showing previous visas, entry stamps, and exit stamps.
Work and Living Arrangements: Documents like a letter from your employer approving leave or a retirement certificate.
Family Visit Proof: Names, contact addresses, and phone numbers of your children or grandchildren, along with their New Zealand visa or citizenship status.

Proof of Sponsorship

Your sponsor must complete a Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry, and you must also submit documents like:

New Zealand Passport: Or birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or resident visa.
Australian Passport: If applicable.

Proof of Family Relationship

Birth Certificates: Confirming relationship with your sponsor.
Adoption Papers: If applicable.
Household Registration Documents: These should confirm your relationship.
Other Relevant Documents: Confirming your family ties with your sponsor.

Proof for Bringing a Partner

If you plan to bring your partner, you will need evidence like marriage or civil union certificates, joint bank accounts, or joint utility bills. Your partner must also meet identity, character, and health requirements.

Healthcare Declaration

You must declare that you will cover any healthcare costs incurred during your stay. If you can’t pay, your sponsor will need to cover these costs. Full medical insurance for the duration of your visit is recommended.

How to Apply Online for the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa NZ?

Applying online is a streamlined process. Follow these steps:

Complete the Online Application: Visit the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa page, and log in or create a RealMe account to start your application.
Upload Required Documents: Ensure all documents are scanned and in PDF format not exceeding 10MB. Photos should be in JPEG format.
Pay the Application Fee: Use a credit card to pay the required fees, which include the Immigration Cost, VAC Service Fee, and, if applicable, a courier fee.
Submit the Application: It’s advisable to apply at least four months before your intended travel date, especially if you have a medical condition which might extend the processing time.

How to Apply In Person for the Parent and Grandparent Visa NZ?

Applying in person is equally straightforward:

Complete the Paper Application Form: Print and fill out the Visitor Visa Application from the New Zealand immigration website. Use the Visitor Visa Guide for assistance.
Find Your Nearest Visa Application Center: Use the Offices outside New Zealand link to locate your nearest VAC.
Book an Appointment: You’ll receive an email confirmation. Print this along with the booking details and payment method.
Attend the Appointment: Bring the completed application form, required fees, and all necessary documents.

What Is the Processing Time for a Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa NZ?

Generally, processing takes about 65 days, and 90% of applications are completed within this timeframe. Given this, it’s a good idea to plan well in advance.

How Long Is the New Zealand Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa Valid?

This visa is valid for three years. During this period, however, each individual visit can be for no longer than six months at a time, with an overall cap of 18 months within the three years.

What Are the Fees for the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa NZ?

Fees vary based on your country of application and the method:

Online Application Fee: NZD $125 — $245
Paper Application Fee: NZD $235 — $280
Visa Application Center Fee: NZD $49 — $80 (if applicable)
Courier Fee: NZD $8 — $187 (if applicable)

Make sure to check the specific fees based on your nationality and application location.

What Are the Conditions of the Parent and Grandparent Visa NZ?

Some conditions to be aware of include:

Entry Permission: Present your passport, a return ticket, and a completed Passenger Arrival Card at the NZ border.
Multiple Entries: Enter and leave New Zealand multiple times within three years as long as each stay is six months or less.
No Work Rights: Employment is not allowed under this visa.
Sponsorship Validity: Your sponsor must remain compliant with all requirements throughout the visa period.

Can You Work with the Parent and Grandparent Visa NZ?

No, work is not permitted under this visa. To work in New Zealand, you’ll need an appropriate Work Visa.

Can You Bring Other Family Members with the Parent and Grandparent Visa NZ?

This visa allows you to bring your partner, but not your children. If your children wish to visit, they must apply for their own visas. Your partner must meet all identity, character, and health requirements.

Conclusion

The New Zealand Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa offers a fantastic opportunity for family reunification, granting extended visits for up to three years with multiple entries. By carefully preparing the required documents and meeting all eligibility conditions, you can make the application process smooth and straightforward. For more detailed information and guidance, visit the official New Zealand Immigration website.

Learn Today:

Glossary

1. Sponsorship

Definition: The act of providing support for an applicant’s visa, typically by a resident or citizen of the destination country. In the context of the New Zealand Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, this refers to a child or grandchild who agrees to financially and legally support the applicant during their stay in New Zealand.

2. Multiple Entries

Definition: A visa feature that allows the holder to enter and exit the host country multiple times within the visa’s validity period, rather than requiring a new visa for each entry. For the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, this means the holder can travel to and from New Zealand as often as they wish over three years.

3. Good Character

Definition: A requirement for visa applicants to have a clean criminal record and demonstrate honest and lawful behavior. For this visa, a police certificate might be needed, especially if the applicant has spent significant time in New Zealand.

4. Genuine Intentions

Definition: The requirement for visa applicants to prove the authenticity of their purpose for visiting. In this context, it involves showing that their primary reason for travel is to visit children or grandchildren in New Zealand.

5. Medical Examination

Definition: A health check that visa applicants must undergo to ensure they do not pose a health risk to the host country. For the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, this can include general health assessments and chest X-rays.

This Article In A Nutshell:

The New Zealand Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa enables extended family visits. It offers multiple entries over three years for parents and grandparents of New Zealand residents or citizens. Applicants must meet health, character, and sponsorship criteria. A valid visa ensures family reunification and cherished moments together.
— By VisaVerge.com

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