New Rules for Bringing Parents and Grandparents to New Zealand

Very recently, the potential sponsors must have higher incomes to sponsor their family members.

What is happening in detail?

To bring parents or grandparents to live in New Zealand, the sponsoring person or couple needs to be approved as sponsors by the government. Sponsor promises to the government to cover parents' needs, including accommodation, food, clothing, etc. Due to rising living costs and the New Zealand economy, the government has also increased the income requirement to demonstrate that sponsors can financially support their parents.

How is the income limit determined? Using the "Median Wage

The government takes the concept of median wage to set the visa application requirements for parents and grandparents. To put it simply, the median wage is the midpoint of all workers' incomes. If you line up all New Zealanders by their income, the one in the middle will earn the median wage. 

The government identified that the current median wage in New Zealand is NZ$72,800 per year. Consequently, the required minimum income for parents and grandparents visa applications was raised, too.

Two primary visa options for parents and grandparents:

1. Parent Category Resident Visa (Permanent living):

Suppose parents need to move to New Zealand. As this visa requires resident status in New Zealand, the requirements are very stringent and include proving financial stability and the ability to maintain it for a minimum of 10 years from the moment they acquire their residence visa. Sponsors are required to have sufficient income over two separate 12-month periods within the past three years.

For a single sponsor:

• 1 parent - NZ$109,200 income per year

• 2 parents - NZ$145,600 income per year

• For each extra parent or grandparent, add NZ$36,400
  
  

For a joint sponsor(s) (couple sponsoring parents):

• 1 parent - combined NZ$145,600 income per year

• For each additional parent, add NZ$36,400

2. Parent Boost Visitor Visa (long visits)

If parents or grandparents require a long stay in New Zealand without moving in permanently.

For a single sponsor:

• 1 parent - NZ$72,800 income per year

• 2 parents - NZ$109,200 income per year
  

For a joint sponsor(s):

• 1 parent - combined NZ$109,200 income per year

• For each additional parent, add NZ$36,400
  

Here's a summary of the updated income requirements:

What can be considered an income?

The government considers only income shown in the Inland Revenue tax documents.

• Cash savings do not qualify as income.

• Business owners are required to have income shown as their salary or dividends.

• Self-employed individuals should provide past-year income statements showing a stable earning history.
  

This helps the government make sure that sponsors can support their parents in New Zealand without becoming a burden.

Special Immigrant programs in the Pacific region:

In addition, there are specific programs such as:

• Pacific Access Category

• Samoan Quota
  

for residents coming from Pacific Island countries. With the update on April 30th, 2026, income requirements also increased for those who sponsor their families under those programs.

Families with dependent children need to show a minimum gross annual income of NZ$55,404.96 before tax payment for themselves as sponsors of their relatives.

The significance of the new rules:

The new rule on sponsor income is designed to ensure that families invited to New Zealand are financially stable enough to support themselves. The government aims to ensure that people living in New Zealand do not become a problem for the government or society.

For a lot of families, the new rule may mean:

• More money should be accumulated.

• A long-term savings strategy is needed.

• Earlier preparation is required for the application to be successful.

Bringing parents and grandparents to live in New Zealand can be an amazing experience for you and your family. However, with new rules, the amount that needs to be shown to prove sponsor eligibility is considerably higher.

Those who want to sponsor parents and grandparents for immigration should carefully check the requirements, gather all the official documents, and apply with patience, so they will be prepared with sufficient finances for the successful immigration of their loved ones to New Zealand.

For the perfect guidance and support for immigration, contact Aptech Visa now.

Call our well-versed team of the best immigration experts at 750 383 2132 / 91310 59075, or you can also write us at info@aptechvisa.com.

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