New Zealand: Parent Resident Visa Selection Process to Change in October 2026

Effective October 5, 2026, the New Zealand government will introduce a new selection process for the Parent Resident Visa. Under the revised approach, approximately 90% of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) will be selected according to their position in the queue, while the remaining 10% will be chosen through a ballot. The annual limit will remain at 2,500 Parent Resident Visas per financial year, and the eligibility criteria for applicants and sponsors will not change. The August 11, 2026 selection will proceed under the existing rules, with the first selection using the new model scheduled for November 10, 2026. 

EOIs already in the pool will transfer automatically to the new system, without applicants needing to file a replacement EOI. Generally, individuals who have continuously maintained an EOI (including those who lodged a replacement within 90 days after an earlier EOI expired) will retain a queue position linked to the date their original EOI was accepted. Additionally, EOIs will no longer expire after two years. Instead, applicants will need to reconfirm every two years, at no additional cost, that they wish to remain in the pool and ensure their information remains current.

The government is expected to provide further transition guidance to current and previous EOI holders before October 5, 2026, with information on individual queue positions becoming available after the new system takes effect. 

All existing Parent Resident Visa eligibility requirements remain unchanged. Applicants will continue to need to meet the current sponsorship, income, and other eligibility criteria, with only the EOI selection process being updated. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.