New Zealand Updates Parent Resident Visa Selection Process

• New Zealand will introduce a new hybrid selection system for the Parent Resident Visa category on October 5, 2026, combining queue-based and ballot selections.  

Parent Resident Visa Selection Process  

New Zealand has announced changes to its Parent Resident Visa category to create a fairer and more predictable selection process for families sponsoring parents for residence. The new system will take effect on October 5, 2026.  

Under the new hybrid selection model: 

• The government will select approximately 90% of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) based on the date applicants submit them.
  The government will select the remaining approximately 10% of EOIs through a ballot process.
• The annual cap of 2,500 Parent Resident Visas will remain unchanged.  
• Current EOI holders will automatically transition to the new system and will not need to submit a new EOI.  
• EOIs will no longer expire after two years, provided applicants confirm every two years that they wish to remain in the pool and keep their information up to date.  

Looking Ahead  

The government introduced these changes to provide greater certainty for applicants who have spent years in the queue while continuing to give newer applicants an opportunity to receive an invitation. The reforms do not change visa eligibility requirements and instead modify only the process for selecting EOIs for an invitation to apply. The government plans to conduct the first selection under the new model on November 10, 2026.

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