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Parent Boost visa cost: fees, levy and insurance

A Parent Boost visitor visa costs $3,100 for one parent applying from outside NZ, or $2,450 with a listed Pacific passport. For most passports that is an INZ fee of $1,940, an immigration levy of $1,060 and the visitor levy (IVL). Insurance for up to 5 years is a separate cost that INZ says varies.

Fees as at 7 November 2026, checked against INZ.

What INZ charges, by where the parent applies from

Parent Boost visitor visa: INZ fees for one adult
Where you apply fromApplication feeImmigration levyVisitor levy (IVL)INZ total
I'm in NZ $1,940$1,060$100$3,100
Overseas, Pacific passport $1,390$1,060$0$2,450
Overseas, other passport $1,940$1,060$100$3,100

Source: Immigration New Zealand. Checked 7 November 2026. Fees aren't refunded if an application is declined.

INZ's Parent Boost page says the parent must be outside New Zealand when they apply, so the two overseas rows are the ones that apply. It also says the parent needs at least one adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident to sponsor them, and must have no dependent children.

Work out your own total

The calculator counts one adult per parent and does not include insurance premiums.

Your INZ fee in 3 steps

Step 1

Step 2 Where are you right now?
Step 3 Who's included?

Add the extras (optional)

Not paid to INZ, but most people need some of these. Tick what applies to you. These are estimates, each with its source.

INZ fee

$3,100

+ extras (estimate)

$0

Tick any extras above to add them.

Real total (estimate)

$3,100

Compare two visas

Parent Boost visitor visa vs
Parent Boost visitor visa $3,100
Visitor visa $441

Parent Boost visitor visa costs $2,659 more.

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Full cost guides

Each guide has worked examples, when you pay what, and legal ways to pay less.

Visitor visa INZ fee from $161Parent Boost visitor visa INZ fee from $2,450Working holiday visa INZ fee from $770NZeTA for a traveller, via INZ website INZ fee from $23Student visa INZ fee from $535Post-study work visa INZ fee from $1,620Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) INZ fee from $1,540Specific purpose work visa (Fees Guide: Work visa - other) INZ fee from $1,310Limited visa, employer (includes the Recognised Seasonal Employer worker visa) INZ fee from $285Partnership work visa INZ fee from $1,630Family Category resident visa (partner and family) INZ fee from $4,810Dependent Child resident visa INZ fee from $2,760Parent Category resident visa INZ fee from $4,810Skilled Residence INZ fee from $5,430Green List Straight to Residence INZ fee from $5,430Active Investor Plus Category INZ fee from $21,590Permanent resident visa INZ fee from $260Second or subsequent resident visa INZ fee from $250Variation of conditions on a temporary visa INZ fee from $240Variation of travel conditions on a resident visa INZ fee from $260Transfer of a visa label to a new passport INZ fee from $170Confirmation of immigration status INZ fee from $170Temporary visa granted under section 61 INZ fee from $640Resident visa granted under section 61 INZ fee from $1,510
Every INZ fee, levy and IVL in one table
Visa or requestIn NZ (band A)Pacific passport, overseas (band B)Other passport, overseas (band C)Immigration levyVisitor levy (IVL)
Visit
Visitor visa $300$120$300 $41 $100 per person
Visitor visa for a partner or dependent child of a New Zealander $300$120$300 $41 No
Parent Boost visitor visa $1,940$1,390$1,940 $1,060 $100 per person
Temporary Retirement Category visitor visa $7,750$4,720$7,750 $41 $100 per person
Group visitor visa (per person) per person $86$63$86 $85 per person $100 per person
Group visitor visa, Approved Destination Status (China), per person per person $55 $85 per person $100 per person
Working holiday visa per person $215$215 $455 $100 per person
Working holidaymaker extension per person $245$245 $455 No
NZeTA for a traveller, via INZ website per person $23$23$23 $0 $100 per person
NZeTA for a traveller, via mobile app per person $17$17$17 $0 $100 per person
Transit NZeTA, via INZ website per person $23$23$23 $0 No
Transit NZeTA, via mobile app per person $17$17$17 $0 No
Crew NZeTA per person $17$17$17 $0 No
Transit visa $235$195$235 $0 No
Study
Student visa per person $485$270$485 $265 $100 per person
Limited visa, student $485$270$485 $265 $100 per person
Post-study work visa $320$270$320 $1,350 No
Work
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) $480$480$480 $1,060 No
Specific purpose work visa (Fees Guide: Work visa - other) $295$250$295 $1,060 $100 per person
Limited visa, employer (includes the Recognised Seasonal Employer worker visa) $325$285$325 $0 No
Limited visa, other $325$195$325 $80 $100 per person
Work to Residence visa per person $570$570$570 $1,060 No
Business Investor work visa per person $11,320$5,190$11,320 $1,060 No
Entrepreneur work visa per person $11,320$5,190$11,320 $1,060 No
Approval in principle to recruit foreign crew of fishing vessels $6,610 $0 No
Request for supplementary seasonal employment approval in principle $335 $0 No
Recognised Seasonal Employer status $1,040 $0 No
Agreement to recruit under Recognised Seasonal Employer instructions $280 $0 No
Entertainment Industry accreditation, first year's registration $2,310 $0 No
Entertainment Industry accreditation, second and later years' registration $650 $0 No
Employer accreditation, standard $775 $0 No
Employer accreditation, upgrade from standard to high volume $505 $0 No
Employer accreditation, high volume $1,280 $0 No
Employer accreditation, triangular employment $4,060 $0 No
Reconsideration of employer accreditation application $250 $0 No
Job Check $735 $0 No
Reconsideration of Job Check $250 $0 No
Partner & family
Partnership work visa $570$570$570 $1,060 No
Family Category resident visa (partner and family) $1,940$1,390$1,940 $3,420 No
Dependent Child resident visa per person $1,830$1,360$1,830 $1,400 No
Parent Category resident visa $1,940$1,390$1,940 $3,420 No
Parent Retirement Category resident visa $9,430$5,140$9,430 $3,420 No
Expression of Interest, Parent Category (online) $450$435$450 $0 No
Expression of Interest, Parent Category (hard copy) $575$555$575 $0 No
Residence
Skilled Residence $2,880$1,860$2,880 $3,570 No
Green List Straight to Residence $2,880$1,860$2,880 $3,570 No
Residence from Work (includes Green List work to residence) $2,920 $3,570 No
Business Investor Category resident visa $11,320$5,610$11,320 $3,570 No
Entrepreneur Residence Category $11,320$5,610$11,320 $3,570 No
Active Investor Plus Category $12,070$6,190$12,070 $15,400 No
Employees of Relocating Business Category $1,940$1,390$1,940 $3,570 No
Pitcairn Islanders resident visa $1,940$1,390$1,940 $0 No
Samoan Quota Scheme $820$800 $0 No
Pacific Access Category $1,300$1,280 $0 No
Pacific Access Category registration, first year $89$86$89 $0 No
Pacific Access Category registration, second and later years $89$49$89 $0 No
Permanent resident visa $315$260$315 $0 No
Second or subsequent resident visa $275$250$275 $0 No
Changes & requests
Variation of conditions on a temporary visa $325$240$325 $0 No
Variation of travel conditions on a resident visa $320$260$320 $0 No
Transfer of a visa label to a new passport $225$170$225 $0 No
Confirmation of immigration status $225$170$225 $0 No
First endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship $225$185$225 $0 No
Second or later endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship $225$140$225 $0 No
Reconsideration of a decision to decline a temporary visa $220 $0 No
Special direction $260$255$260 $0 No
Call-out fee for processing outside normal working hours $375$365$375 $0 No
Temporary visa granted under section 61 $640 $0 No
Resident visa granted under section 61 $1,510 $0 No

Three examples

  1. One parent from India, sponsored by an adult child in Tauranga: $3,100.
  2. A parent from Tonga: $2,450, because the Pacific band applies and the visitor levy does not.
  3. Both parents applying from the Philippines. See the two-parent INZ total; insurance premiums are not in it. INZ sets higher sponsor figures when a partner is included.

When you pay each part

Insurance is the part with a fixed starting point, with INZ asking for at least 1 year of cover at application and cover for each later visit. In the third year the parent must leave New Zealand for a health and insurance check, and INZ's Parent Boost page lists a separate charge for that check.

Legal ways to pay less

  • INZ accepts domestic or offshore insurers rated no lower than A (strong) or equivalent, and says premiums depend on factors such as age and health (INZ FAQs).
  • A parent's own income or funds can be shown instead of the sponsor's, as INZ allows.
  • A visa lasting up to 5 years is one application for several visits, so repeat trips do not mean repeat visa fees.

Mistakes that cost money

  • Applying from inside NZ. INZ requires the parent to be outside New Zealand.
  • Insurance that falls short of INZ's required cover for emergency care, cancer treatment, repatriation and return of remains.
  • Medical evidence more than 3 months old. INZ also says medical waivers are not available.
  • A sponsor who has not met the income test in 2 of the past 3 completed tax years, or who does not spend at least 184 days a year in NZ.
  • Treating it as a route to residence. INZ says the visa gives no pathway to residence and cannot be extended, although a second Parent Boost visa can be applied for, from outside NZ.

Extras for this visa

INZ requires a chest X-ray and medical examination from a panel physician, and police certificates for parents aged 17 or older who will spend 24 months or more in NZ in total. Estimates:

  • Medical examination: $200–$290.
  • Chest X-ray: $130–$205 per parent.
  • Police certificates: $44–$72 each.
  • Certified English translations: $62–$95 per document.

Quick answers

How much is a Parent Boost visa?

$3,100 for one parent from outside NZ and $2,450 with a listed Pacific passport. Insurance premiums are extra. Source: INZ Fees Guide.

How long does it last?

Up to 5 years, multi-entry. The parent must enter New Zealand within 6 months of the visa being granted. Source: INZ Parent Boost page.

Is health insurance compulsory?

Yes. INZ requires cover for the whole stay, including emergency medical care, cancer treatment, repatriation and return of remains. Source: INZ Parent Boost FAQs.

Is it a route to residence?

No. INZ says the visa does not provide a pathway to residence, and that it cannot be extended. Source: INZ Parent Boost page.

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