Starting October 5, 2026, New Zealand will select about 90 percent of Parent Resident Visa expressions of interest (EOIs) in the order they were submitted, replacing most of the previous random lottery system. The remaining 10 percent of EOIs will still be randomly picked. This new hybrid selection method was announced by the government on August 8, 2026, with the first selection under the updated process scheduled for November 10, 2026. Applicants will no longer have their EOIs expire after two years as long as they confirm their intention to remain in the pool every two years.
Parent Visa Application Numbers and Requirements[[/SECTION_HEADING]The annual cap for Parent Resident Visas remains fixed at 2,500. As of August 5, 2026, there were 7,931 valid EOIs in the pool representing 11,904 individuals, meaning it would take close to five years to process existing applications if the quota is fully met each year and no new EOIs are added. Sponsorship prerequisites, including income, health, character, and English language requirements, continue unchanged. Health and income eligibility are assessed when the visa invitation is issued, not at the time of EOI submission, posing risks for applicants whose circumstances may change during the waiting period.[[SECTION_HEADING]]Income Thresholds and Their Impact
Income criteria for
sponsors are based on the New Zealand median wage, which rises annually. Effective April 30, 2026, a single sponsor must earn at least NZ$109,200 per year to sponsor one parent. To sponsor two parents, the income requirement is NZ$145,600 annually for a single sponsor, or a combined NZ$145,600 for joint sponsors sponsoring one parent. Sponsors may use slightly lower income thresholds if they demonstrate meeting the criteria in two of the past three years before the EOI is selected. These income levels remain substantially above the median earnings of many New Zealand families.
Visitor Visa Alternatives with Limitations
The Parent Boost Visitor Visa grants parents
up to five years of multi-entry travel but does not offer a path to residency. Holders are limited to possessing two such visas, and they must maintain compulsory health insurance from approved providers. Insurance premiums range approximately from NZ$3,900 per year for those aged 50-59, to NZ$14,000 annually for applicants aged 80 and older. The visa application fee is NZ$3,100. The Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, costing NZ$441, permits stays of up to six months per visit with a maximum total stay of 18 months within three years, requiring parents to spend significant intervals outside New Zealand.
Applicant Guidance and Government Communications
Applicants whose EOIs
expire before October 5, 2026, must submit a new EOI; those expiring on or after that date do not need to reapply. Immigration New Zealand will notify current EOI holders of their position in the selection queue after October 5, 2026. Applicants should keep their contact information up to date, as invitation letters cannot be resent once expired. Sponsors and applicants should maintain thorough income records and seek professional advice to confirm eligibility due to the complexity of income and health requirements.
Although transitioning to a chronological selection system improves fairness by replacing the lottery, it does not increase the
annual visa cap or lower eligibility criteria. Families may still face long waits and risk losing eligibility if health or income requirements change during the approximate five-year processing period. The government’s changes remove the need to resubmit EOIs every two years, reducing administrative costs for families but do not resolve the challenges posed by limited visa places and stringent criteria.
