If you are holidaying, sightseeing, visiting family & friends
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa Assistance — New Zealand
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
What is the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa?
A temporary visa from Immigration New Zealand for tourism, visiting family and friends, or short-term study.
Purpose
When our help makes a difference
Where we step in — and what we do
Some immigration processes are approved without much friction. Some situations carry real risk of delay, hard pushback or decline.
Real cases · Illustrative
Situations we've helped with
Every case is different. These are illustrative and don't guarantee a particular outcome.
Avoidable problems
Common risks — and how to reduce them
Visitor Visa applications can be declined or delayed for reasons that are sometimes avoidable with better preparation.
- 01High impact
Genuine intentions assessment
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.
- 02High impact
Insufficient financial evidence
Bare-minimum bank balances, unclear income sources, or missing sponsorship documentation can lead to requests for further information or decline.
- 03Medium impact
Health and character flags
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 Out-of-date evidence delays processing.
- 04Medium impact
Passport validity
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.
- 05High impact
Misrepresentation
Providing false, misleading, or incomplete information — even unintentionally — can result in decline, and may affect future visa applications.
- 06Manageable
Timing
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
What the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa doesn't cover
Find the right pathway
Other options we can also help with
If a different immigration process fits your situation, we can take you there directly.
Working with us
What the process looks like
We will guide you step by step on your Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa process, from start to finish.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
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.
Plan the trip. We'll handle the visa.
Whether your application is straightforward or involves complicating factors, we can help you understand your options and put your best case forward.
Your parents or grandparents on a plane to New Zealand, arriving for an extended stay with your family — that is the goal. Whether the visit is to meet a new grandchild, spend time during retirement, or simply be together after years apart, the Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa is often the path that makes it possible.
The application involves sponsorship obligations, medical requirements, and a document package that covers both the applicant and the sponsor. If a partner is travelling too, the requirements expand further. We assist families with straightforward applications and with those where eligibility questions, previous visa history, or health concerns add complexity.
Credentials
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. We hold current practising certificates and work across a range of immigration matters, from visitor visa applications to complex cases involving prior refusals, character issues, and multi-visa strategies.
Get in touch.
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.
