Thousands of parents overseas are anxiously waiting for the chance to join their children who have made New Zealand home. With over 10,000 applications submitted for the Parent Residence Visa, families find themselves stuck in a random ballot system where only a few get selected every three months.
Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez March expressed deep concerns at a recent parliamentary committee meeting, saying that some parents are growing too old to move or, tragically, passing away while waiting for a visa. “These parents simply don’t have the luxury of time to wait endlessly in a ballot pool,” he emphasized.
Long Waits and Heartbreaking Losses
There are currently no official figures on how many parents have died while waiting since the visa category was first shelved in 2016. But families, including health professionals and parents of young children missing their grandparents, have shared heartbreaking stories over the years.
Some parents have become too frail to travel or no longer meet health requirements. Others have seen doctors and skilled professionals return to their home countries due to the emotional toll and lack of progress.
A Facebook support group with over 3000 members continues to receive daily requests from families seeking hope and solidarity.
Policy Confusion and Frustration
The parent residence visa category has faced numerous changes under three different governments. Closed in 2016 by the previous National government, it reopened in 2019 but was shut down again during the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest rule change now requires a child sponsor to earn at least $98,623 per year for one parent to qualify — a threshold that excludes many families.
Alison McDonald, Head of Immigration New Zealand, told MPs that the Cabinet sets the annual limit of 2500 visas. With growing expressions of interest and no proper queue system, waiting times have become unpredictable.
Looking for Alternatives
Many families are also eager for a new long-term visitor visa that would allow parents to stay with their children without waiting for full residence. While the government has promised to explore this option, work on the policy is only expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The new visa could address issues like health insurance costs and provide some relief to families caught in the current system.
A Plea for Change
Families and MPs alike are urging the government to prioritize solutions. Menendez March’s message was clear: “These parents deserve the chance to be with their families before it’s too late.”
As New Zealand looks to rebuild its immigration framework, thousands of families are left waiting—hoping for news that will reunite them with their loved ones.
