New Zealand has fixed 2500 slots for the Parents Visa Resident Program in a financial year. The year starts from July 1st until June 30th. The applications are chosen based on two streams:
- Queue-based Applications: 2000 visas
- Ballot-based Applications: 500 visas
This year, New Zealand authorities are granting 2331 visas for the Queue based applications. The additional 331 visas will be issued to the backlog applications having application approval but visa issuance was pending. However, the limit for ballot based applications will remain intact.
This is going to be a one time change. The limit for the next financial year 2025-2026 will be 2500.
PARENTS VISA RESIDENCE PROGRAM
This Residence program allows New Zealand citizens and residents to sponsor their parents for permanent residence. The interested candidates have to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI). The applications will be chosen every three months through a ballot program.
The minimum wage limit of the sponsoring residents have been reduced to great extent. From February 28th, the median wage will be NZD 69,804.80. The minimum wage requirements for sponsorship are:
- One parent: NZD 104,707.20
- Two parents: NZD 139,609.60
The intent behind this decision is to foster family reunification and clear the backlog of approved applications. Immigration New Zealand(INZ) will contact the applicants or their advisers directly to confirm their acceptance under new instructions.
This decision will bring relief to the long awaiting applicants while maintaining the integrity of the program.
You can read more information from this website.
