New Zealand Expands Parent Visa Quota for 2025

New Zealand has announced a temporary increase in the Parent Category Resident Visa quota for the financial year ending June 30, 2025, allowing an additional 331 visas for applicants in the 'queue' system. This raises the total to 2,331 visas for that period, aiming to address application backlogs and facilitate family reunification.

Despite this increase, the overall annual cap for the Parent Category Resident Visa remains at 2,500, comprising 2,000 visas for 'queue' applicants and 500 for those selected through the 'ballot' system. The extra 331 places are specifically for applicants with prior approval in principle, leaving the 'ballot' quota unchanged.

The Parent Resident Visa enables New Zealand citizens and residents to sponsor their parents for permanent residency. Applicants submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), with selections made randomly every three months via a ballot system.

In October 2022, New Zealand revised sponsorship income requirements to make the visa more accessible. Sponsors previously needed to earn twice the median wage; this threshold was lowered to 1.5 times the median wage. From February 28, 2025, the median wage is set at NZD 69,804.80, requiring sponsors to earn NZD 104,707.20 to support one parent and NZD 139,609.60 for two parents.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will contact eligible applicants or their advisers to confirm acceptance under the new instructions. This move aligns with the government's broader immigration strategy, balancing family reunification with economic and social considerations, offering relief to long-waiting applicants while maintaining visa system integrity.