New Zealand Family Visa (Updated 2025-2026)
If you have a family member who is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, they may be able to sponsor you for a visa. New Zealand offers several family visa categories:
Family Visa Fees (2025-2026)
- Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa: NZD $1,710
- Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa: NZD $750
- Dependent Child Resident Visa: NZD $1,350
- Parent Resident Visa: NZD $2,480
- Parent Retirement Resident Visa: NZD $2,480
- Immigration levy: NZD $575 (for most residence applications)
The following family categories are available:
Partner:
Under this group, a New Zealand citizen can sponsor his/her partner to come and live in New Zealand.
To Sponsor a Partner
A New Zealand citizen or resident can sponsor a partner by fulfilling the following conditions:
To Sponsor a Partner:
- you must not have supported or sponsored more than one successful applicant previously under the Partner Sponsorship
- has not sponsored another successful applicant under the Partner Sponsorship within the last five years of this application
Dependent Child:
If you are in New Zealand, then you can easily sponsor your dependent child under this group
To Sponsor a Child
A lawful and permanent resident of New Zealand can sponsor a dependent child under the Family Category.
Eligibility Requirements
The child must be
- 16 years or younger or
- 17-24 years, must be single with no dependent children themselves
And
- the child must have been born or adopted before the parents applied for residence to New Zealand and declared on parent residence application, or
- be born after the parents residence application, or
- were adopted as recognized by New Zealand law
And
- the child needs to be of good health and good character
- be dependent or substantially dependent on an adult for financial support
Parent:
If you are New Zealand citizen, and wish to invite your parents to live with you in New Zealand, then you can sponsor them under the parent group under the New Zealand Family Visa category.
To Sponsor a Parent or Guardian
An eligible New Zealand citizen can sponsor his/her parents or guardian by meeting the following conditions.
Eligibility Requirements
- be at least 17 years old
- live in New Zealand as a New Zealand or Australian citizen, or
- live in New Zealand and be the holder of a Residence Visa, or a returning Residents Visa, for at least three years before the application (at least 184 days within each 12 months of the three year period must have been spent living in New Zealand)
- demonstrate that you will be able to provide financial support and accommodation for at least the first 24 months of your parents being resident in New Zealand
Brother, sister or adult child:
Apply under the brother, sister or adult child group to sponsor your brother, sister or adult child under the New Zealand Family Visa category.
To Sponsor a Brother or Sister
To be a sponsor for a Brother or Sister, they must have no other siblings or parents who are living lawfully and permanently in the same country as them.
To be eligible to as a sponsor you must adhere to the same rules as explained above in the section about sponsoring a Parent or Guardian.
Family Quota
Immigration New Zealand offers a limited number of places each year under the Family Quota category. Note: The Parent Resident Visa category was reopened in 2023 with updated requirements including a minimum income threshold for sponsors. The Parent Retirement Resident Visa requires a minimum annual income of NZD $60,000 and settlement funds of NZD $1,000,000.