If you’ve ever applied for a New Zealand visa, you’ll know that one of the most common frustrations is the uncertainty around processing times. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) publishes estimated timeframes for most visa types, but in practice, the reality can vary significantly from case to case.

In mid-2025, the New Zealand government introduced the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, a new visa option aimed at helping parents of New Zealand citizens or residents spend longer periods of time in New Zealand with their families.