New Zealand To Revise Tough Visa Rules For Parents

The New Zealand government is considering adjustments to visa regulations for overseas parents and grandparents, as confirmed by Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. These potential changes could facilitate extended visits for overseas relatives.

Under the current regulations, aside from the residence visa, which has been suspended for six years, parents are permitted to stay for a maximum of 18 months within a three-year period under a multiple-entry visitor visa.

Read more: UK Implements Stringent Care Worker Visa Rules

Regarding the implementation timeline, Stanford stated that the timing would be contingent on other policy alterations, but it remains a commitment of the coalition government to enact this change during their term.

The minister also addressed concerns with the partnership visa policy, expressing a desire for revisions, particularly regarding culturally arranged marriage visas, which she deemed inadequate.

However, Stanford noted that partnership visa adjustments may not be realized during the current parliamentary term, as discussions are currently focused on other matters such as the accredited employer work visa and migrant exploitation.

It’s worth noting that the potential extension of stay for elderly relatives is met with approval. However, the demand already surpasses the annual quota of 2500 residence visas allocated by the previous government in 2022 for parents and grandparents, as reported by RNZ.