New Zealand Immigration Update: 2024 Quota Ballots for Samoan and Pacific Access Categories
Key Dates
- Registrations Open: Monday, 20 May 2024 at 08:00 NZST (New Zealand Standard Time)
- Registrations Close: Sunday, 30 June 2024 at 17:00 NZST
Overview
The New Zealand Immigration Authority is pleased to announce the opening of the 2024 ballots for the Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category. These visa categories are designed to facilitate the entry of nationals from specified Pacific countries to become permanent residents of New Zealand, promoting cultural diversity and mutual understanding.
Eligibility and Registration
Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare early for the registration process.
Visa Categories and Detailed Information
1. Samoan Quota Resident Visa
- Eligibility: Open exclusively to Samoan citizens.
- Quota:
- 1,100 regular places annually.
- Additional 550 places each year extending through 2026 to accommodate increasing demand.
- Age Requirement: Applicants should be between 18 and 45 years old.
- Application Cost: Starting from NZD 905.
- Visa Benefits:
- Permanent residency with the right to live, work, and study anywhere in New Zealand.
- It allows the addition of partners and dependent children up to the age of 24 to the residence application, provided they were listed in the initial ballot registration.
- Requirements:
- Applicants or their partners must secure a job offer that sufficiently supports the family financially in New Zealand.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
2. Pacific Access Category Resident Visa
- Eligibility: Specifically for citizens of Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tonga, and Fiji.
- Quota Increases (for years 2022 and 2023, extended into 2024):
- Kiribati and Tuvalu: From 75 to 150 each.
- Tonga and Fiji: From 250 to 500 each.
- Age Requirement: Applicants should be between 18 and 45 years old.
- Application Cost: Starting from NZD 1385.
- Visa Benefits:
- Grants permanent residency with rights to live, work, and study across New Zealand.
- Includes the ability to add partners and dependent children aged 24 and under to the residence application if included in the original ballot registration.
- Requirements:
- A job offer that meets or exceeds the applicant’s and family’s financial needs is required.
- English proficiency is mandatory.
Registration Process
Participants can register for the annual ballot online through the official New Zealand Immigration portal. The process is streamlined to ensure accessibility and ease of application. Support and technical assistance are available throughout the registration period.
Additional Information
The Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category ballots are vital to New Zealand’s immigration policy. They aim to strengthen community ties and provide opportunities for individuals from Pacific nations. This initiative supports New Zealand’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive society.
Reference
About ICL Immigration
ICL Immigration, based in Auckland, is an established licensed immigration adviser with over 20 years of experience and a remarkable 97% approval rate. We’ve helped over 1,000 immigrants realise their New Zealand settlement dreams.
We specialise in various visa services, including student, residency, work visas and business-related services like employer accreditation. We ensure personalised solutions for individuals and businesses aiming to navigate New Zealand’s immigration landscape successfully.
