Apply For Grandparent Visa NZ

Eligibility Criteria for Grandparents Visa

To apply for the grandparent visitor visa NZ, the applicant must meet the following prerequisites:

• The sponsor must be your grandchild aged at least 17 years or the parent of your grandchild who possesses a NZ residence visa. Sponsors are also verified based on their financial stability, intended length of stay, immigration history, and criminal record.

• The sponsor is limited to sponsoring either one individual or one family unit (consisting of the principal applicant and their partner) at a given time.

• The applicant must agree to bear their own healthcare expenses during their stay.

Documents Required For Grandparents Visitor Visa

To apply for grandparents visa, your grandparents must provide the following essential documents:

• Proof of Identity. This includes their passport and two photographs that meet the New Zealand visa photo requirements.

• Health Verification. This entails a chest X-ray and medical examination certificates to establish their good health status.

• Police Certificate (if applicable). If the applicant has spent over six months in New Zealand without submitting a police certificate, they will need to provide one from their home country.

• Intentions to Visit New Zealand which involves providing evidence of their travel history, retirement certification to confirm pension eligibility, a letter detailing family relationships in their home country, proof of the purpose of the visit (visiting children or grandchildren), including their names, contact addresses, phone numbers, and the visa or citizenship status in New Zealand.

• Documenting the sponsorship involves showing the sponsorship arrangement.

• Provide evidence of the family relationship with the sponsor, which may include birth certificates, adoption records, household registration documents, or any other documents validating the relationship to the sponsor.

• Evidence of family relationship to partner which includes marriage or civil union certificates, birth certificates for shared children, or records of joint bank accounts or utilities accounts.

• Healthcare declaration that confirms that the applicant will be able to cover their own healthcare expenses in New Zealand. If this is not feasible, the sponsor is responsible for these costs.

Difference Between Parents Residency Visa & Grandparents Visa

The announcement of the reopening of the Parents Residency Visa brought much excitement to migrants in New Zealand. However, it's important to note that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will only begin reviewing the first Expressions of Interest in August 2023.

In comparison, the grandparents visitor visa offers several advantages over the parent visa:

• Cost: The fees associated with the PGVV are significantly lower than those for the residency visa.

• Eligibility: The PGVV extends to grandparents of the New Zealand sponsor, not just parents, broadening the scope of eligible family members.

• Processing Time: The PGVV boasts a processing time estimate of 2-3 months. Even after the full reopening of the Parents Residency Visa category in August, INZ's decision-making process may still take several months, potentially even years.

• Complexity: The Parents Residency Visa entails a high wage threshold and a commitment by sponsors, accompanied by financial proof.

While both visas require the New Zealand-based child/grandchild to act as a sponsor, the residency application demands stricter adherence to eligibility requirements. Some migrants who unfortunately do not meet the criteria to sponsor a parent for a residency application might still be eligible to sponsor them for a visitor visa.

It's worth noting that both visa options can work in tandem rather than competing with one another. The PGVV offers an avenue for earlier visitation, allowing a reasonable amount of time spent together, while the Resident Visa application undergoes assessment by INZ or the prospective sponsor works towards fulfilling the necessary eligibility criteria.

In essence, considering both visa options can be the most strategic approach for parents, as each complements the other. The PGVV facilitates timely visits, providing an interim solution while the Resident Visa application progresses or the sponsor strives to meet eligibility requirements for application.

Grandparent Visa Consultants At Your Service

While we've provided the crucial information necessary for acquiring a Grandparent Visitor Visa, there are numerous additional vital aspects involved in the visa application process. To ensure the avoidance of potential visa rejections, seeking guidance from local Grandparent visa consultants in New Zealand is crucial.

ASIC holds a wealth of experience in effectively assisting clients with their visa applications. We've successfully helped numerous elderly applicants in visiting New Zealand to share precious moments with their children and grandchildren.