If you’re considering reuniting with family in New Zealand, recent updates to the Parent Resident Visa category may work in your favour.
From 1 July 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has made some adjustments to the way this visa category is managed. These changes are designed to simplify the process for families and improve transparency around visa availability.
What’s Changing with the Parent Resident Visa?
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Removal of the 2,000 visa queue allocation
The reference to the set-aside of 2,000 visa places for applicants in the queue has now been dropped. With the queue nearly cleared, this move increases opportunities for those in the ballot system by making more spaces available. INZ are expected to be able to invite close to 2500 people from the EOI ballot pool to apply for a visa this financial year (previously capped at 500). -
Temporary cap adjustment concluded
Mentions of the temporary increase in the visa cap for the 2024/25 financial year have also been removed. While not every application from that period has been processed, those that already received an approval in principle will still count under the previous cap. -
New financial year cap begins
The cap for the allocation for 2025/26 will resent on 1 July 2025.
These updates are intended to streamline the process and offer more certainty to families who are planning a move to New Zealand under this category.
Key Dates to Remember
The next ballot draw for the Parent Resident Visa is scheduled for Tuesday, 12 August 2025.
To be included in this draw, your Parent Resident Visa Expression of Interest (EOI) must be submitted by 31 July 2025.
If you would like to start the process and submit you Expression of Interest, then get in touch.
