Your family is in New Zealand. Visit them — more than once.
Multiple-entry visitor visa for parents and grandparents of New Zealand citizens or residents.
The basics
A multiple-entry visitor visa from Immigration New Zealand for parents and grandparents of New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders — granted for three years, with a maximum of 18 months total stay across the visa period.
Purpose
Multiple-entry visitor visa for parents and grandparents of NZ citizens or residence class visa holders, designed for extended or repeated visits.
Length of stay
Granted for three years. Each visit up to six months; total stay across the visa period generally capped at 18 months.
Sponsor
An adult child or grandchild in NZ must act as sponsor. The sponsor's obligations continue for the duration of the visa.
Location
Apply from outside New Zealand.
Medical
A full medical examination is required — at the same standard as if intending to stay 12 months or longer. Police certificates may apply.
Work rights
Does not permit work in NZ. Remote work for an overseas employer is generally considered acceptable.
PGVV, Parent Boost, or residence?Three different pathways for parents and grandparents — depending on the length of stay, the family situation, and whether residence is the goal. Talk to us so the right one is in play.
Your parents or grandparents on a plane to New Zealand, arriving for an extended stay with your family — meeting a new grandchild, spending time during retirement, or simply being together after years apart.
When our help makes a difference
Some immigration processes are approved without much friction. Some situations carry real risk of delay, hard pushback or decline.
Real cases · Illustrative
Every case is different. These are illustrative and don't guarantee a particular outcome.
Avoidable problems
Visitor Visa applications can be declined or delayed for reasons that are sometimes avoidable with better preparation.
Weak ties to a home country, inconsistent travel history, or vague explanations of the purpose of a visit can raise concerns. A well-prepared application addresses these points directly with supporting evidence.
Bare-minimum bank balances, unclear income sources, or missing sponsorship documentation can lead to requests for further information or decline.
Applicants from countries without a low TB incidence may need a chest X-ray. Those with criminal history may need police certificates. Out-of-date evidence delays processing.
Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date. Travelling on a passport close to expiry can result in being refused boarding or refused entry at the border.
Providing false, misleading, or incomplete information — even unintentionally — can result in decline, and may affect future visa applications.
Applying too close to your intended travel date, or failing to apply for an extension before your current visa expires, creates complications that are difficult to resolve.
Important constraints
The PGVV is a multiple-entry visitor visa for parents and grandparents. If your family's situation sits outside that, a different visa is the right starting point.
Not permitted
We'll tell you up front if a different visa pathway fits your family's situation better.
Work for a New Zealand employer
Not permitted. Remote work for an overseas employer is generally considered acceptable.
Stay continuously for a long period
A Parent Boost Visitor Visa supports longer continuous stays.
Move to New Zealand permanently
ot a residence pathway. See Parent Residence Visa or Parent Retirement Residence Visa.
Apply for a sibling, aunt, uncle, or friend
PGVV is for parents and grandparents only. A general Visitor Visa is the right route.
Include dependent children of the applicant
Dependent children are not included on this visa and must apply separately.
Find the right pathway
If a different immigration process fits your situation, we can take you there directly.
Working with us
We will guide you step by step on your Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa process, from start to finish.
Short email discussion to understand the visit plan, sponsor circumstances, applicant health and history, and any partner travelling. We'll tell you up front whether the PGVV is the right pathway.
Letter of engagement signed, invoice paid. We open the file and set the timeline against the planned visit dates and document lead times.
We work through the sponsor's documentation, the medical examination scheduling, police certificates, partner inclusion, and any historical-issue context — so the application is filed complete.
We file the application on your behalf and confirm receipt with Immigration New Zealand.
If INZ requests further information mid-process, we draft the response with you — promptly, in the right form.
We walk you through the outcome. If granted, we explain the conditions, including the six-month visit limit and 18-month total cap, and the timing for any next application. If declined, we work through reasons and your realistic options.
FAQ
Yes, a partner may generally be included. However, the partner must provide separate relationship evidence, undergo their own medical examination, and meet character requirements independently. Where the relationship is a de facto partnership rather than a marriage or civil union, the evidence requirements add further complexity. We help coordinate the partner’s documentation alongside the primary applicant’s to ensure both components are consistent and complete before lodgement.
The Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa is designed for extended or repeated visits over a three-year period and carries specific sponsorship, health, and character requirements. A general Visitor Visa may be more appropriate for shorter, one-off visits and generally involves fewer requirements. The right choice depends on the length and frequency of your family’s planned visits. We can help you assess which option best fits your circumstances.
Yes. This visa requires a full medical examination — including a chest X-ray and general medical — at the same standard as if the applicant intended to stay for 12 months or longer. For older applicants, this examination can occasionally reveal health findings that need to be addressed or explained as part of the application. Police certificates may also be required in certain circumstances. Understanding these requirements before booking examinations helps avoid unnecessary delays and costs. We can advise on what applies to your applicant’s situation.
Processing times vary depending on the volume of applications at the time, the completeness of the submission, and whether Immigration New Zealand requests further information. We recommend checking Immigration New Zealand’s website for current processing time estimates. A well-prepared application — with all required evidence included at lodgement — may help reduce delays caused by requests for additional documentation.
Whether your immigration process is straightforward or involves complicating factors, we can help you understand your options and put your best case forward.
MyLaw is a New Zealand law firm with a focus on immigration law.
Our team is led by Michael Yoon, a New Zealand lawyer and member of the New Zealand Law Society.
He holds a current practising certificate and works across a range of immigration matters, from Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa matters to complex cases involving prior refusals, character issues, and multi-visa strategies.
Talk to us about your parent’s or grandparent’s visit Whether your application is straightforward or involves questions about sponsorship, partner inclusion, or eligibility, we are here to help. An initial conversation can clarify what is involved, what you need to prepare, and whether professional support would make a difference for your situation.
Contact us to discuss your family’s circumstances. We can outline the next steps and explain how we can assist.
