February 25, 2025
The New Zealand government has approved a one-time increase in the number of Parent Resident Visas issued during the 2024/2025 financial year. This adjustment is intended to accommodate a higher number of approved in-principle applications under the queue-based Expression of Interest (EOI) system.
Current NZ Parent Resident Visa Quota
Under standard policy, 2,500 Parent Resident Visas are granted each financial year, distributed as follows:
- 2,000 visas for applicants under the queue-based Expression of Interest (EOI) system
- 500 visas for applicants under the ballot-based EOI system
Temporary Increase for 2024/2025
To address the higher volume of approved applications for in-principle, the Minister of Immigration has authorized an additional 331 visas for the queue-based system.
Revised Allocation for 2024/2025:
- 2,331 visas for queue-based EOIs (previously 2,000)
- 500 visas for ballot-based EOIs (unchanged)
This increase applies exclusively to the 2024/2025 financial year, which ends on June 30, 2025.
No Change to Ballot-Based Quota
The ballot-based EOI quota remains unchanged at 500 visas for this financial year. While the increase allows more queue-based applicants to receive visas, the process for ballot-based applicants remains the same.
Impact on Applicants
- If a queue-based EOI is selected this financial year, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will directly contact the applicant to proceed with the next steps.
- For the 2025/2026 financial year, the total visa cap will revert to 2,500 visas, with 2,000 allocated to queue-based EOIs and 500 to ballot-based EOIs.
This one-time increase is designed to process more applications that have already received in-principle approval, allowing eligible families to reunite in New Zealand more efficiently. Applicants are encouraged to stay informed through official Immigration New Zealand (INZ) channels for any further updates.
Reference
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
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