New Zealand Introduces Parent Boost Visitor Visa with Specific Eligibility and Sponsorship Requirements
What changed
New Zealand has started the Parent Boost Visitor Visa. This visa lets parents of New Zealand citizens or residents visit New Zealand. They can stay for up to five years. Parents must be sponsored by an adult child. They must also meet specific financial and health insurance rules. They will have a mandatory health and insurance check after they have been in New Zealand for two years. This is a temporary visa. It does not provide a way to get a resident visa.
The detail
Related changes
New ZealandCitizenshipAnnouncementIssued 7 Oct 2026 New Zealand to Introduce In-Person Citizenship Test from Late 2027
What changed
New Zealand's Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden, announced that an in-person citizenship test will be introduced as part of the citizenship by grant process from late 2027. Aspeq Limited has been appointed to design and deliver this new test. This initiative is designed to ensure that applicants seeking citizenship possess a sufficient understanding of their responsibilities and privileges as citizens of New Zealand, thereby strengthening the meaning of citizenship. The test will cover concepts such as freedom of speech and the principle of equality before the law.
Published 7 Oct 2026New Zealand Government — Beehive releases
New ZealandPermanent ResidenceEffectiveEffective 5 Oct 2026 New Zealand Implements Hybrid Selection Process for Parent Resident Visa Category
What changed
Immigration New Zealand has put a new mixed selection system in place for the Parent Resident Visa category, starting from 5 October 2026. This change means all valid Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now in a single group. About 90% will be chosen from this group in the order they were submitted, like a queue, and the other 10% will be picked randomly. The yearly limit of 2,500 visa approvals remains the same, and the first selection under this new system is planned for 10 November 2026.
Published 5 Oct 2026Effective 5 Oct 2026Immigration New Zealand — News
New ZealandVisitor VisasEffectiveEffective 1 Oct 2026 New Zealand Transitions Most Visitor and Transit Visa Applications to Online Only
What changed
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is transitioning to a fully online application process for most visitor and transit visas. Effective from 1 October 2026, individuals applying for these visa types must use the enhanced Immigration Online system, as paper submissions will no longer be routinely accepted. This move aims to streamline processes, reduce paperwork, and improve the efficiency and accuracy of visa applications within New Zealand's jurisdiction.
Published 4 Sept 2026Effective 1 Oct 2026Immigration New Zealand — News
AustraliaVisitor VisasEffectiveEffective 29 Sept 2026 Australia Updates Approved Travel Agents fo Visitor (Class FA) Visa Applications
What changed
Australia has changed how applications are handled for the Subclass 600 Visitor visa, specifically for the Approved Destination Status (ADS) stream. The 'Migration (Arrangements for Visitor (Class FA) visa applications) Amendment Instrument 2026' (departmental reference LIN 26/060) has replaced the previous list of approved ADS travel agents in China. This document was created on 24 September 2026, officially recorded on 28 September 2026, and became active on 29 September 2026, which was the day after its registration.
Published 28 Sept 2026Effective 29 Sept 2026Federal Register of Legislation — Migration instruments
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