Prospective applicants for New Zealand’s longer-term parent visa will have to wait longer than anticipated, as Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has announced that the government will not begin work on the project until next year. This delay is attributed to current priorities focused on managing various pressing immigration issues aimed at safeguarding the country’s border integrity, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported.
Stanford emphasized that the government’s immediate attention is directed towards ensuring the adequacy of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) settings. However, she reaffirmed the government’s commitment to introducing the anticipated five-year parent visa within this parliamentary term.
Earlier this year, Stanford’s announcement regarding potential reforms to family visas had sparked optimism within New Zealand’s migrant communities. She had also expressed intentions to address concerns regarding the partnership visa policy, labeling the culturally arranged marriage visa as inadequate for its intended purpose.
During last year’s national elections, both the main coalition partners, National and ACT, had prominently featured promises of a parent visa while courting migrant communities. For years, various migrant groups, not limited to those from India, have advocated for a more flexible visa regime allowing extended stays for their parents. Presently, the existing settings restrict parental visits to short durations and impose frequency limits on visits to New Zealand.
In the lead-up to the October 2023 elections, all three major political parties—National, ACT, and Labour—had unveiled ambitious election pledges concerning this issue. While specifics varied, each party aimed to devise a lasting solution to accommodate migrants’ parents.
National proposed a ‘Parent Visa Boost’ that would permit relatives to stay for up to five years, with the option for renewal for an additional five years. Applicants would be required to have sponsorship from their children or grandchildren, along with meeting conditions such as holding private health insurance.
ACT’s proposal, termed the ‘Unite Visa’, proposed allowing relatives to visit family for up to five years at a time, contingent upon paying an annual fee of $3,500 to cover potential health expenses.
These commitments remained central to discussions whenever party leaders engaged with the Indian community during the election campaign. Consequently, voters are eager for assurance that these promises remain a priority on the government’s agenda.