Posted 05/11/2026
Parent Resident Visa Queue: First Selection 10 Nov 2026
Immigration New Zealand will hold the first Parent Resident Visa selection under its new hybrid model on Tuesday 10 November 2026. Approximately 90% of expressions of interest (EOIs) will be selected through a queue in the order they were received, and approximately 10% will continue to be selected through a random ballot. Up to 2,500 Parent Resident Visas can be approved each year.
| Have an expression of interest in the pool?
Our licensed immigration advisers can confirm your queue date, map it to the likely selection round, and prepare your family’s documents ahead of an invitation. Email [email protected] |
How the new Parent Resident Visa selection model works
The new model replaced the pure ballot at the start of October 2026. Every selection round now fills places in two steps, queue first and ballot second.
- Queue (approximately 90%): expressions of interest are selected in the order they were received. Queue dates are based on the date the expression of interest was submitted.
- Ballot (approximately 10%): a smaller number of expressions of interest continue to be selected by random draw, so newer submissions keep a chance of selection.
- Annual limit: up to 2,500 Parent Resident Visas can be approved each year.
- Frequency: selections occur four times a year and generally take place on the second Tuesday of the relevant month. The first is on 10 November 2026.
Being selected means an expression of interest may be invited to apply. It is not a visa approval, and the usual sponsor, health and character requirements still apply at the application stage.
Parent Resident Visa queue position and selection round
Immigration New Zealand has published an indicative table showing when expressions of interest might be selected from the queue, based on the month each was submitted. The months and date ranges are indicative only and can change, because they depend on how many expressions of interest are selected and how many visas are approved. Immigration New Zealand will update its website quarterly with revised anticipated selection rounds.
On the current table, expressions of interest with a queue date from October 2022 to June 2023 are indicated for the November 2026 round. An expression of interest submitted in October 2026 is indicated for May 2032, more than five years away.
| Queue position date (month and year) | Indicative selection round |
| October 2022 to June 2023 | November 2026 |
| June 2023 to July 2023 | February 2027 |
| July 2023 to August 2023 | May 2027 |
| August 2023 to February 2024 | August 2027 |
| February 2024 to July 2024 | November 2027 |
| July 2024 to October 2024 | February 2028 |
| November 2024 to January 2025 | May 2028 |
| January 2025 to March 2025 | August 2028 |
| March 2025 to May 2025 | November 2028 |
| May 2025 to July 2025 | February 2029 |
| July 2025 to July 2025 | May 2029 |
| July 2025 to October 2025 | August 2029 |
| October 2025 to December 2025 | November 2029 |
| December 2025 to January 2026 | February 2030 |
| January 2026 to March 2026 | May 2030 |
| March 2026 to April 2026 | August 2030 |
| April 2026 to June 2026 | November 2030 |
| June 2026 to July 2026 | February 2031 |
| July 2026 to August 2026 | May 2031 |
| August 2026 to August 2026 | August 2031 |
| August 2026 to September 2026 | November 2031 |
| September 2026 to October 2026 | February 2032 |
| October 2026 | May 2032 |
If you submitted more than one expression of interest
Where a second expression of interest was submitted within 90 days of a previous one expiring, the queue date is based on the earlier expression of interest. For example, if a first expression of interest was submitted in November 2022 and expired in November 2024, and a second was submitted in December 2024, the queue entry date is based on the November 2022 submission.
This rule can move a family forward by years. If you have lodged more than one expression of interest, ask a licensed immigration adviser to confirm which date Immigration New Zealand holds on file.
Reconfirm your Parent Resident Visa expression of interest every two years
Expressions of interest no longer expire after a fixed period. Instead, Immigration New Zealand needs confirmation every two years from those who want to stay in the pool. Confirmation must be submitted within six months of the expression of interest reaching two years.
For example, an expression of interest submitted on 4 July 2025 must be reconfirmed between 4 July 2027 and 4 January 2028. If it is not, the expression of interest expires on 5 January 2028. Add your own window to the calendar now, because a missed reconfirmation removes the queue date you have built up.
How to check whether your expression of interest was selected
Immigration New Zealand contacts advisers and applicants when an expression of interest is selected. You can also use the online selection checker after each round:
- Choose a selection date.
- Enter the expression of interest number.
- Click search for results.
The checker shows only the numbers that were selected. If you cannot find your number, the expression of interest was not selected in that round.
Tell Immigration New Zealand about changes to your expression of interest
Immigration New Zealand asks to be told about any change affecting an expression of interest, including major health changes, changes in finances, or other changes to eligibility. These can be reported through the Update an EOI page on the Immigration New Zealand website. A sponsor whose income has dropped, or a parent whose health has changed, should speak to an adviser before the next selection round rather than after an invitation arrives.
What to prepare before your selection round
Families with an early queue date have the least time. Those with later dates have longer, but the ballot means any expression of interest can be chosen in any round. New Zealand Shores can:
- Confirm your queue date and the indicative round that applies to it.
- Diarise your two-year reconfirmation window.
- Manage any updates in your expression of interest if finances, health or other eligibility details have changed.
- Help you gather evidence of the sponsor’s income and the commitment to sponsor the parent for 10 years.
- Advise on a schedule to arrange health and character evidence for the parent and any included partner.
How New Zealand Shores helps with Parent Resident Visa applications
New Zealand Shores has advised families on New Zealand residence pathways since 2009. Our licensed immigration advisers guide you from eligibility check to approved visa, and work with you before and after your expression of interest is selected.
- Check your queue date, including the 90-day rule for repeat expressions of interest, and map it to the indicative selection round.
- Complete your two-year reconfirmation and update your expression of interest when your circumstances change.
- Review sponsor income, relationship and identity evidence against the Parent Resident Visa requirements.
- Prepare and lodge the full application so it is ready the moment you are invited to apply.
- Monitor each selection round and contact you the day your number appears.
Working with a licensed adviser reduces the risk of a decline on technical grounds. Get a free eligibility assessment at www.newzealandshores.com or email [email protected].
| Speak to a licensed immigration adviser before your selection round
New Zealand Shores prepares your parent’s application so it is ready when Immigration New Zealand invites you to apply. |
Parent Resident Visa queue: frequently asked questions
When is the first Parent Resident Visa selection under the new model?
The first selection under the new model takes place on Tuesday 10 November 2026. Immigration New Zealand selects expressions of interest from the queue in date order first, then draws the ballot. Selections happen four times a year and generally fall on the second Tuesday of the relevant month. New Zealand Shores can confirm your queue date and likely round: email [email protected].
How many Parent Resident Visas can Immigration New Zealand approve each year?
Immigration New Zealand can approve up to 2,500 Parent Resident Visas per year. The cap is unchanged by the new model. What has changed is how expressions of interest are chosen to fill those places: approximately 90% from the queue and approximately 10% by random ballot.
How does the Parent Resident Visa queue work?
Expressions of interest are selected in the order they were received. Your queue date is the date your expression of interest was submitted. Where a second expression of interest was submitted within 90 days of a previous one expiring, the queue date is based on the earlier submission. A licensed immigration adviser can check which date applies to your family.
Do I need to submit a new expression of interest to enter the queue?
No. Expressions of interest that were valid in the pool when the new model began on 5 October 2026 moved into the single pool automatically, and the queue date is based on the original submission date. Check your details are current and that Immigration New Zealand has your adviser’s contact information.
Can I still be selected if my queue date is recent?
Yes, through the ballot. Approximately 10% of expressions of interest continue to be selected by random draw, so a recent submission has a chance of selection in any round. The indicative table shows that queue selection for the newest expressions of interest is several years away, which makes the ballot the faster route for those families.
What happens if my expression of interest is selected?
Selection means you may be invited to apply for the Parent Resident Visa. It does not approve the visa. The sponsoring child must meet the income threshold and commit to sponsoring the parent for 10 years, and the parent and any included partner must meet health and character requirements. New Zealand Shores prepares and lodges applications so the evidence is ready when the invitation arrives.