Parent Retirement Resident Visa for NZ

To qualify for the Parent Retirement Resident Visa, you must be the legal parent or guardian of the child who is already a citizen or resident of New Zealand.

You must also fulfill these requirements:

• Be at least 65 years old at the time you apply.
• Be able to prove your identity by providing a valid passport or full birth certificate.
• Be in good health with valid health insurance covering public and private hospital treatment while you are in New Zealand.
• Be of good character with no criminal convictions or previous immigration issues.
• You must provide evidence of your relationship with your partner if one is part of the application.

Or meet one of the financial requirements:

• Have a guaranteed annual income of NZ$60,000 or more before deductions.
• Be able to invest NZ$1 million in New Zealand for at least 4 years.
• Be sponsored by your child who meets a higher income threshold.

Having enough money to support yourself financially while living in New Zealand under this visa category is essential.

You must have a stable income or substantial savings that can cover all of your living expenses without relying on public funds.

Before starting your application, you must prepare the following documents. You must also have your partner’s passport, marriage and birth certificate, if applicable.

You will also need to fulfill the following;

• Valid passport: it must have at least 6 months of validity beyond your intended stay.
• Two recent passport-size photographs that meet immigration requirements.
• A police certificate from where you’ve resided for more than 12 months.
• Medical examination certificates completed by an approved medical practitioner.
• Marriage certificate and birth certificate to prove your relationship to your child, and that you are their legal guardian
• Good character references from a reputable person.
• You must consider the financial requirements when applying for a Parent Retirement Resident Visa.

This evidence must be provided by either a chartered accountant or solicitor. The documents must show your full name, the investment amount in NZD, the date you started your investment, and the type of investment. They must also show the names of any organizations you have invested in and the number of shares or bonds you own.

Follow these steps to apply for a Parent Retirement Resident Visa to come to New Zealand.

Step 1: Gather Your Documents:

Before starting your application, gather the necessary documents. These will vary depending on your specific situation. They typically include a valid passport and two recently taken passport photographs. The documents also include:

• Police certificates from the country you’ve resided in for over 12 months.
• Medical certificates completed by approved practitioners within six months of application.
• Proof of relationship to your New Zealand child (marriage certificate, birth certificate).
• Evidence of good character, such as references.

The financial documents you will need to gather will depend on how you’ve applied. They typically include one of the following;

• Bank statements, income tax records, and employment contracts showing you have at least NZ$60,000+ annual income for settlement funds before any deductions.
• Investment agreements and bank statements verifying you can have acceptable investment funds of NZ$1 million in New Zealand, to invest over 4 years.
• Your sponsor’s financial statements (income above NZ$135,000 before any deductions) and sponsorship declaration.

Step 2: Complete the Application Form:

The visa can be applied for either online or via a paper application.

Either way, you must visit the Immigration New Zealand website and create an account. Enter your email address and create a username and password.

Once done, carefully complete the form, providing accurate information. Answering the questions truthfully is vital to avoid any delays.

Step 3: Submit Your Application and Pay Fees:

Once you’ve completed the form and uploaded your documents, you must pay the visa application fee, which is currently between NZ$211 and NZ$300, depending on where you are applying from.

In addition to the standard visa fee, there are several other fees that you should be aware of. These include fees for the following;

• Paying for priority processing of your application
• If applicable, any additional medical certificates.
• Your partner’s application.

Step 4: Wait for a Decision:

You can expect to wait approximately 2-3 months for it to be processed; it could take even longer if delays occur. If you wish to speed up the process, you can opt for priority processing (an additional fee is required), and you will receive a response within 5 working days.

Once it is processed, immigration New Zealand will contact you regarding their decision and advise if there are any further requirements.

If successful, you will be notified of where and when to pick it up.

The parent retirement resident visa has some conditions that all applicants must adhere to. Travelling outside New Zealand is typically permitted during the first two years, but you must apply for permission to leave the country.

During this time, you must continue to ensure you have valid health insurance. It must cover both public and private hospital treatment in New Zealand. You must also uphold good character, which means not getting into trouble with the law and not criminal convictions.

The same applies to immigration breaches. If you break any of the visa rules, your visa can be revoked, or you could be fined. Another essential condition of the visa is to report any changes in your address, contact information, and, importantly, your financial situation to Immigration New Zealand.

Other limitations include:

• You are generally not allowed to work under the PRR visa. However, you can take on voluntary work, and some self-employment might be ok, but under specific conditions.
• You can not engage in any type of business activity, including owning or managing a company in New Zealand.
• If sponsored by your child, they must be able to continue to support you.

After meeting all the visa conditions for 4 years or more, you can apply for permanent residence in New Zealand. This offers many benefits, including freedom from investment, income requirements, and travel restrictions.

If you fail to comply with any of the conditions outlined above, your visa could be cancelled, and you could potentially be deported.