New Zealand changes Parent Resident Visa selection process, effective today

Effective today, New Zealand has changed the way Parent Resident Visa applications are selected affecting parents, including Indians, waiting to join their children in the country.

Also read: US imposes visa bonds of up to $20,000 on 50 countries; is India on the updated list?

Under the new hybrid selection model, all valid expressions of interest (EOIs) have moved into a single pool. Around 90 per cent of EOIs will be selected in date order through a queue, while the remaining 10 per cent will be selected through a random ballot. The annual limit of 2,500 Parent Resident Visa approvals in principle remains unchanged.


This equally means that the Indian parents who had a valid EOI as of today do not need to submit a new EOI or take any other action.

Immigration New Zealand said the queue positions for existing EOI holders are still being finalised. Once the final ordering and transitional arrangements are completed, eligible applicants will receive information about their position.

The department has asked applicants not to contact it to request their queue position, as these positions are not yet available.

The first selection round under the new system is scheduled for November 10, 2026. Immigration New Zealand will contact eligible EOI holders directly when their information is available.

Also read: US to double EB-5 visa fees from November 30: What it means for Indian investors seeking green card

What Indian applicants need to know

• No fresh EOI needed: Indian parents with a valid EOI on October 5 do not need to submit a new expression of interest. Their existing EOI has been moved to the new parent category pool.
• Queue position: Immigration New Zealand will email applicants about their queue position once the final ordering and transitional arrangements are completed. Applicants do not need to contact the department for this information.
• Keep email updated: Applicants should ensure their contact details are current and regularly check their inbox, including junk or spam folders. Immigration New Zealand will use email to send important updates.
• EOI validity: EOIs will no longer automatically expire after two years. However, applicants must confirm their interest in remaining in the pool within six months of each two-year anniversary.
• Earlier EOI dates: Applicants who submitted a new EOI within 90 days of their previous EOI expiring may benefit from transitional rules. Their queue position may be based on the submission date of the earlier EOI.
• First selection: The first selection under the new hybrid system is scheduled for November 10, 2026. Around 90 per cent of EOIs will be selected by queue order and 10 per cent through a random ballot.
• Visa limit unchanged: The annual cap remains at 2,500 Parent Resident Visas. The visa application process itself has also not changed.