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    New Zealand has announced changes to the way Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for its Parent Resident Visa are selected, with 90% to be selected based on when they were submitted and the remaining 10% through a ballot.

    According to Immigration New Zealand (INZ), the new hybrid selection system will take effect from October 5, 2026, giving applicants who have been waiting the longest a greater chance of being selected while retaining a ballot option for newer EOIs.

    The Parent Resident Visa allows eligible parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to apply to live in the country. Applicants first submit an EOI, and if it is selected and meets the requirements, INZ can issue an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for residence.

    How the new Parent Resident Visa system will work

    Under the new selection model:

    90% of EOIs will be selected in date order. This means EOIs that have been waiting the longest will generally be considered first.

    10% of EOIs will be selected through a ballot. This will continue to give newer applicants another opportunity to be selected.

    The annual allocation of Parent Resident Visas will remain unchanged at 2,500 visas per financial year, while the visa eligibility criteria will also remain unchanged.

    EOIs will no longer expire

    Another major change is that EOIs will no longer expire under the new system.

    This means people who have submitted an EOI will not have to worry about it expiring while they wait for selection. However, applicants must still meet the requirements for the Parent Resident Visa before they can be invited to apply for residence.

    When will the new system begin?

    The hybrid selection model will officially take effect on October 5, 2026, while the first selection using the new system is scheduled for November 10, 2026.

    The change could be particularly relevant to families hoping to reunite with parents in New Zealand, especially those who have already been waiting for their EOIs to be selected.

    For Nigerians with parents or children in New Zealand, the new system could make the selection process more predictable, although being selected does not automatically guarantee a residence visa.

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