New Zealand parent category to reopen in February 2020
After being ‘paused’ for almost 3 years, the parent category reopens on 24 Feb 2020. New Zealand residents will be able to sponsor their parent(s) to come over and become residents themselves. The category is capped at 1,000 applicants/year and there are requirements of guaranteed minimum income from the New Zealand resident sponsors only.
What are the changes?
The new policy includes the following changes:
- applying an annual quote of 1,000 visa approvals
- standardising the EOI process by having only 1 tier (former policy had a 2-tier system)
- eligibility is based on the New Zealand financial sponsors’ ability to support their parents and indexed on the NZ median income (at the time the income was earned)
- New Zealand resident sponsors will need to meet the income threshold for 2 out of the 3 years before the visa application is submitted
- applicants’ financial means will no longer be considered when assessing applications
The minimum income that sponsor(s) must meet is based on whether the supporting adult child’s partner is jointly sponsoring the applicant, the total number of people being sponsored by the adult child and their partner (if joint income is considered) on the date a decision on the residence application is made, and the median income on the last day of each year of the 3 year period.
See more here about calculating the income.
What changes for eligibility
It is now the sponsor's finances that are considered, and no longer the applicant's finances.
| Sponsor | Sponsor's income required | |
| 1 sponsor for 1 parent | NZD $106,080 (2 time NZ median salary) | |
| 1 sponsor for 2 parents | NZD $159,120 (3 times NZ median salary) | |
| Sponsor and partner for 1 parent (joint income) | NZD $159,120 (3 times NZ median salary) | |
| Sponsor and partner for 2 parents (joint income) | NZD $212,160 (4 times NZ median salary) | |
| Guaranteed lifetime income of 1 applicant or of a couple | no longer a requirement | |
| Settlement funds | no longer a requirement | |
HOW DOES IT WORK?
It’s a 2-step process whereby the applicant must first submit an Expression Of Interest (EOI). The application gets reviewed and if INZ deems the information as meeting policy requirements, the applicant(s) formally get(s) invited to apply, and must submit their application within four month. The applicant(s) must meet requirements of good health and character, a minimum standard of English, and the requirements of the category itself.
I HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED AN EOI, WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
If you have submitted an EOI already, you will be invited to either update or withdraw. If you cannot meet the new criteria, you may seek a refund from Immigration New Zealand by emailing [email protected].
CAN I SPONSOR MY GRANDPARENTS?
You may sponsor your grandparents if both your parents are deceased.
I AM NO LONGER ELIGIBLE, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
You may be eligible under other categories, such as the Parent Retirement Resident visa (which involves investment) or the temporary Parent/Grandparent Visitor Visa.
