Kia ora Sam Malik,
 
On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 18/12/2025 requesting, under the Official
Information Act 1982, the following:
 
I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act
1982 relating to the processing and policy settings of Parent and
Grandparent Visitor Visas.

Please provide the following information for the last 24 months (or the
most recent period available):

a) The average and median processing times for:

Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visas

General Visitor Visas

b) Any internal guidelines, risk frameworks, or operational instructions
that explain why Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visas have significantly
longer processing times (approximately three months) compared to General
Visitor Visas (approximately three to four weeks), despite
parent/grandparent applicants having a defined and limited purpose of
travel.

c) Any analysis, reports, or advice prepared for the Minister or senior
INZ leadership that discuss delays or prioritisation differences between
these visa categories.

Please provide information explaining:

a) The policy rationale for subjecting Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa
applicants to additional scrutiny compared to General Visitor Visa
applicants.

b) Any evidence or data held by INZ that supports the assumption that
parents or grandparents present a higher immigration risk than general
visitor visa holders.

Please provide documents or policy advice that explain:

a) The rationale for limiting Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visas to:

A maximum stay of six months per visit, and

A maximum of stay of 18 months within a three-year period.

b) Why these restrictions apply even when applicants:

Fully fund their own stay,

Hold comprehensive private medical insurance, and

Do not access public services or benefits.

c) Any reviews, impact assessments, or consultations undertaken regarding
these limits.

Please advise:

a) Whether INZ has considered or is currently considering policy changes
to processing times or stay limits for Parent and Grandparent Visitor
Visas.

b) If so, please provide copies of any relevant briefings, discussion
papers, or recommendations.

We are aware of the Parent Boost Visa as it has been reported that is too
expensive for most people including the insurance part of it who are
willing to apply. This request is specifically for Parent and Grandparent
Visitor Visa.

What's the Minister's take on that.
 
We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible, and no
later than 9/02/2026, being 20 working days after the day your request
was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will
notify you of an extension of that timeframe. Please note that the days
from 25 December 2025 to 15 January 2026 (inclusive) are defined as
non-working days in the Act and are not counted in the calculation for the
response due date. This will affect the time period for responding to your
request. If you have any enquiries regarding your request feel free to
contact us via email to [1][MBIE request email].
 
Nāku noa, nā
Ministerial Services
Strategy and Assurance
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |  P O Box 1473 Wellington 6140

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[MBIE request email]