Big news for families hoping to reunite in New Zealand Aotearoa! From 1 July 2025, Immigration New Zealand is making thoughtful improvements to the Parent Resident Visa Category—a vital pathway that allows New Zealand citizens and residents to bring their parents here to live permanently. These updates are designed to streamline the process, provide more certainty, and open doors for more families to be together on New Zealand soil.
Here’s what’s changing—and why it matters:
More Opportunities Through the Ballot System
The longstanding queue of applications is almost entirely cleared, so Immigration New Zealand is removing the 2,000 visa quota previously reserved for this group. This is a major win for new applicants in the ballot pool, who now have significantly better odds of being selected as more places have become available. After the recent announcement of the new Parent Boost visa, it's another clear signal that New Zealand is opening its arms wider to parents of migrants.
Cap Adjustments for a Smoother Process
References to the temporary cap increase during the 2024/25 financial year are being phased out. Don’t worry—if your application was approved in principle under that cap, you’re still covered. The visa cap now resets fresh for the 2025/26 financial year, bringing renewed clarity and structure to the application cycle.
These changes reflect a more efficient and family-friendly approach to parent migration. They reduce uncertainty and make the journey to residency easier to navigate—great news for families who’ve been planning to reunite in New Zealand.
📅 Next Ballot Draw: Tuesday, 12 August 2025
📝 EOI Deadline: Submit your Expression of Interest by 31 July 2025 to be in the draw!
Now is the perfect time to act if you’ve been considering bringing your parents to New Zealand. The doors are opening wider than ever—don’t miss this chance to bring your family home.
