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PRV — Parent Resident Visa

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

300-365 days

Application Fee

5,810 NZD

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Allowed

Official Information

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, eligibility 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 5,810, plus a non-refundable EOI fee. 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.

Fee Breakdown

Expression of Interest	450 NZD
Resident Visa Application	5,360 NZD

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Permanent / indefinite

Annual Cap & Quota

2,500 per year

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY 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

Education

none or higher

Min. Income

109,200 EUR/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 eligibility.
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 eligible adult-child sponsor in NZ meeting the residency and income thresholds.
Failure to meet INZ health or character requirements.

Application Process

Check sponsor eligibility: 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 5,810

Receive decision and, if approved, travel to NZ to activate the resident visa

Application Forms

Parent Resident Visa Expression of Interest

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Verified Claims (8)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Check sponsor eligibility: adult child must be NZ citizen/resident for 3+ years and meet the minimum…	immigration.govt.nz
Fee Breakdown · 0 · label	Expression of Interest fee (non-refundable)	immigration.govt.nz
Fee Breakdown · 1 · label	Parent Resident Visa application	immigration.govt.nz
Forms · Permanent Resident Visa Application · name	Parent Resident Visa Expression of Interest	immigration.govt.nz
Official Info	https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/parent-resident-visa/	immigration.govt.nz
Min Income	109200	immigration.govt.nz
Required Docs	Current passport; Evidence of parent-child or legal-guardian relationship (birth/adoption certificat…	immigration.govt.nz
Spouse Can Work	yes	immigration.govt.nz

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