- By Simeon Brown, Member of Parliament for Pakuranga
The Government recently announced a new ‘Parent Boost’ visa category, aimed at making it easier for parents of New Zealand migrants to visit and support their families here.
As it currently stands, migrants who come to New Zealand to offer their skills and contribute to our society long-term often face difficulties getting their parents to visit, whether for a short or long period of time.
One of the main immigration issues I hear about through my office in Pakuranga is exactly this – migrants who’ve worked hard to receive New Zealand residency or citizenship, unable to bring their parents here to support them.
Before the last election, National campaigned on progressing a new category of visa to resolve this problem, not only to reunite those in New Zealand with their families offshore, but to make our country a more attractive place for skilled migrants seeking a new home.
Beginning on September 29, this new Parent Boost visa will grant the parents of New Zealand citizens and residents multi-entry access for up to five years, provided they meet specific health, income, and insurance requirements.
The eligibility criteria for this visa includes the requirement to have at least one year of comprehensive health insurance, which would provide coverage for at least $250,000 of emergency medical care, and at least $100,000 of cancer treatment if necessary.
It would also mean holders of this visa are only required to leave the country once during a five-year period, when during their third year they’d need to complete new medical assessments offshore and prove they’ve maintained their health insurance while here.
This is in contrast to current visas, which require visiting parents to leave the country every three to six months, often with an equivalent standdown period before being able to return.
These existing restrictions add significant stress and financial burden and can be a turn-off for prospective migrants thinking about bringing their skills to New Zealand.
This new visa provides some certainty in this area and would allow those in New Zealand to enjoy the support of their parents during challenging times, like welcoming a new child, going through health difficulties, or providing childcare so they can work.
The sponsor and/or parent must also meet certain income requirements, to ensure they’re able to support their stay here, and if they follow the rules for the duration of the visa, will be eligible for a further five-year extension.
The Parent Boost visa strikes a balance between making New Zealand a more attractive place for migrants to live, work, and contribute, without putting additional strain on public services.
Our Government is committed to delivering an efficient and predictable immigration system that drives economic growth to take New Zealand forward.
