In plain English
All valid Parent Resident Visa EOIs now sit in one pool. About 90% are selected in date order and 10% by ballot. The first selection under the new model is scheduled for 10 November 2026.
Key points
- If you held a valid EOI on 5 October 2026 you don’t need to do anything.
- Queue positions are still being finalised. INZ will contact EOI holders directly, so don’t call INZ to ask.
- The annual limit stays at 2,500 approvals in principle.
- First hybrid selection round: 10 November 2026.
Who’s affected
Parents of New Zealand citizens and residents, and the sponsoring children.
What you should do
Keep your EOI details up to date and watch for INZ’s queue-position email. Talk to us if your circumstances have changed since you submitted.
Immigration New Zealand, “Parent Resident Visa hybrid selection is now in place”, published 5 October 2026. Read the full announcement. Summary by Destination NZI; INZ content © Crown, licensed under CC BY 3.0 NZ.
Related visas
For parents of New Zealand citizens or residents. From 5 October 2026 EOIs are selected about 90% by queue and 10% by ballot.
- Stay
- Live, work and study indefinitely
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $5,810
- Processing
- EOI, hybrid selection
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
A long-stay visitor visa for parents of New Zealand citizens or residents, with multiple entry.
- Stay
- Up to 5 years
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $3,100
- Processing
- Expected to be around 4 months
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
For parents and grandparents of New Zealand citizens or residents who want to visit family, in and out.
- Stay
- 6 months at a time, 18 months in 3 years
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $441
- Processing
- 80% within 3 months
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
