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Parent Resident Visa category update

A one-off increase in the Parent Category quota is being implemented, to enable applications that have been approved in principle to be issued this financial year.

25 February 2025
1 minute read

Each financial year, 2,500 visas can be issued under the Parent Category Resident Visa. 2,000 can be issued to people who made a ‘queue’ application (EOI) and 500 can be issued to people who made a 'ballot' application.

Immigration New Zealand has approved in principle more Parent Category Resident Visas than we are normally allowed to grant this financial year (until 30 June 2025).

The Minister of Immigration has agreed that Immigration New Zealand can grant up to 2,331 visas to people who made ‘queue’ applications this financial year, an increase of 331, as a one off to those who have already been approved in principle. 

We will contact those people, or their advisers directly to confirm they are happy for us to issue their visas under the new instructions.

The ballot cap of 500 visas remains unchanged.

The limit of visas that can be granted under the Parent Category in the 2025/2026 financial year remains at 2,500.

For more information:

Parent Resident Visa expression of interest (EOI) selection process

Parent Resident Visa successful Expressions of Interest (EOIs)