F4.1 Summary of requirements (to 07/10/2019)

Note: The instructions in this section cease to be effective from 07 October 2019

F4.1.1 Objective

The objective of the Parent Category is to support family connections, in order to:

1. progress New Zealand Government economic objectives for immigration; and
2. attract and retain skilled and productive migrants, while also limiting the costs of New Zealand Government benefits.

F4.1.5 Ability to apply

A person may only apply for a resident visa under the Parent Category (see F4.10) if:

1. they have been issued an invitation to apply under the Parent Category; and
2. they apply for a resident visa under the Parent Category within four months of the date of the letter inviting them to apply; and
3. that invitation has not been revoked.

F4.1.10 Health, character and English language requirements

Applicants under the Parent Category must meet:

1. the health and character requirements specified at A4 and A5; and
2. a minimum standard of English, or pre-purchase English for Speakers of Other Languages tuition to the specified level (see F4.15).

F4.1.15 Family relationships

1. In each case, the parent(s) must:
   1. be sponsored by the adult child referred to in F4.1.15(c) below, who is an acceptable sponsor as set out at R4.5.
   2. demonstrate they meet the family relationship requirements at F4.20.
2. An applicant under Parent Category must have no dependent children (see F4.20.5).
3. The applicant’s sponsor must have been a New Zealand citizen and/or New Zealand resident for at least three years immediately preceding the date the application they wish to sponsor is made (see F4.25); and
4. The applicant’s sponsor must meet the undertakings set out at R4.10 for the first ten years of the applicant’s stay in New Zealand as a resident.

   Note: Parents sponsored by children who INZ determines to be dependent will not meet the requirements to be granted residence.

F4.1.20 Two tiered system

Applicants under the Parent Category must either:

1. meet one of the requirements for tier one at F4.30 that they:
   1. have a sponsor (and, if applicable, that sponsor’s partner) who meets a minimum annual income level for tier one (see F4.30.1); or
   2. have a sufficient guaranteed lifetime minimum income (see F4.30.5); or
   3. bring sufficient settlement funds to New Zealand (see F4.30.10); or
2. meet the requirements for tier two at F4.35 that:
   1. they have a sponsor (and, if applicable, that sponsor’s partner) who meets a minimum income for tier two (see F4.35.1); and
   2. the applicants’ other adult children (if any) live lawfully and permanently outside the country in which the applicant lives lawfully and permanently (see F4.35.5).

F4.1.25 Evidential requirements

All applicants under the Parent Category must meet the evidential requirements set out at F4.40.

Effective 08/05/2017