What Is the Parent Retirement Resident Visa?
This visa grants parents of New Zealand citizens and residents permanent residence so they can retire in New Zealand. It is a capital-based pathway — the key requirement is that you have sufficient funds to invest in New Zealand and support yourself without relying on New Zealand’s public health and welfare systems.
Funds & Income You Need to Show
The financial thresholds apply to both single parent applicants and couples applying together. All funds must be in a readily accessible, legally sourced form.
Single Parent
Two Parents (Couple)
All Criteria You Must Meet
Every requirement must be satisfied at the time of application. Our advisers assess your full situation before you commit to any application.
Retirement Age (65+)
You must be at or above New Zealand’s superannuation qualification age (currently 65) at the time of application. There is no upper age limit, but older applicants should note that medical examination requirements may apply.
Sponsored by a NZ Child
You must have an adult child (aged 18+) who is a New Zealand citizen or holds a New Zealand resident visa and is living in New Zealand. Step-children who meet these criteria can also sponsor a parent.
NZ$1,000,000 Settlement Funds
You must hold at least NZ$1,000,000 in accessible, legally sourced funds. At least NZ$500,000 of this must be invested in an INZ-approved New Zealand complying investment for a minimum of three years after your visa is granted.
Annual Income of NZ$60,000+
You must demonstrate an ongoing annual income of at least NZ$60,000 (single) or NZ$80,000 (couple). This can be from pension income, investment returns, rental income, or other sources — you do not need to be employed.
Health Requirements
You must meet INZ’s health standards. A full medical examination by an INZ-approved Panel Physician is required. INZ assesses whether the cost of any health condition would place an undue burden on New Zealand’s health services.
Character Requirements
Police certificates are required from every country where you have lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years. INZ will assess your character against New Zealand’s immigration instructions.
Documents & Evidence Required
This visa requires detailed financial evidence. A thorough, well-organised application reduces processing delays significantly.
💰 Financial Evidence
-
Bank statements (12 months)
Statements from all accounts showing the NZ$1,000,000 in settlement funds, with a clear transaction history demonstrating the funds are legally sourced and readily accessible.
-
Investment & asset statements
Portfolio statements, share certificates, managed fund valuations, or other investment documents evidencing the source and value of your settlement funds.
-
Proof of income (annual)
Documents confirming your annual income — pension statements, dividend records, rental income statements, or other income evidence totalling at least NZ$60,000 (single) or NZ$80,000 (couple).
-
Source of funds evidence
Documents explaining how the funds were accumulated — employment history, business sale proceeds, inheritance documents, or other evidence as appropriate to your circumstances.
🧑🤝🧑 Identity & Sponsor Documents
-
Passport
Current valid passport for each applicant. If applying as a couple, both passports are required. Previous passports may also be requested by INZ.
-
Birth certificate / relationship evidence
Documents proving the parent-child relationship with the NZ sponsor. If the relationship is through marriage or step-parenting, additional relationship documents are required.
-
Sponsor’s evidence
The sponsoring child must provide a copy of their New Zealand citizen passport or resident visa, and confirm their intention to sponsor in a signed sponsorship form.
-
Marriage certificate (if applying as couple)
If two parents are applying together as a couple, their marriage certificate or de facto relationship evidence is required to confirm the joint application is valid.
🏥 Health & Character Documents
-
Medical examination (INZ 1007)
A full medical including chest X-ray, completed by an INZ-approved Panel Physician. For applicants with significant health conditions, additional specialist reports may be required.
-
Police certificates
From every country where you have lived for 12 or more months in the past 10 years. Certificates must be recent — typically issued within 6 months of lodgement.
-
NZ Police certificate (if applicable)
Required if you have already spent 12 or more months in New Zealand. We advise on timing to ensure all certificates remain valid at lodgement.
How the Process Works
From your first consultation to residence approval — here is how we guide you through every stage.
Free Eligibility Assessment
We review your financial position, confirm the sponsor’s eligibility, and identify any potential issues — particularly around health, character, or fund sourcing — before any application costs are committed.
Investment Planning Advice
We provide guidance on which New Zealand investment types qualify as complying investments under INZ policy, and advise on timing of fund transfers so your investment evidence is clean and clear for INZ officers.
Document Collection
We provide a personalised checklist of all required documents and advise on certified translations, apostilles, and any legalisation requirements for financial and identity documents issued overseas.
Health & Character Checks
We coordinate your medical examinations and guide you through obtaining police certificates from all required countries, timed to ensure they remain valid at the point of lodgement.
Application Preparation & Lodgement
We prepare your complete application — forms, financial narrative, supporting documents — and lodge it through INZ’s online system, managing all correspondence with INZ throughout processing.
Residence Granted
Once approved, we explain your visa conditions, including the investment obligations you must maintain, advise on travel requirements to activate residence, and outline the path to permanent residence and citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Family Is Here. Now You Can Be Too.
The Parent Retirement Resident Visa is a well-defined, achievable pathway for families who meet the financial requirements. Our licensed advisers will assess your eligibility, guide you through the investment requirements, and prepare a thorough application so you can retire in New Zealand with confidence.
