FAQs: Parent Resident Visa Category

04 August 2023

Parent Resident Visa has reopened after 6 years!

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) restarted the selection of Expressions of Interest on 14 November 2022. The requirements have been changed, specifically around sponsor income.

Here are some frequently asked questions about this visa:

How many visas are available each year under this category?

The government has increased the quota from 1000 to 2500 per year.

Do my parents need to meet the English requirements for the Expression of Interest (EOI)?

Yes, to get approved under this category. If they cannot get an acceptable English language test result or do not want to sit a test, they can pre-purchase ESOL, but this can be done after the EOI. Parents will need to attend English language classes once they arrive in New Zealand.

How much income do I need to show as the sponsor?

See the table below:

I have gained my residency through the 2021 Resident Visa; can I sponsor my parents?

No, you need to be a resident for at least 3 years.

Can parents apply if they have dependent children?

No, they can't. Eligible parents should have no dependent children.

What if my parent has a medical issue?

Parents must have good health to be granted residence. Having a medical issue by itself doesn't mean parents won’t meet INZ’s health requirements, but the depth of the medical issue can have a negative impact. The severity of the condition needs to be ascertained.

Which EOIs were selected on 14 November 2022?

Only the ones that were submitted prior to 12 October 2022 will be selected.

What happens to new EOIs submitted after 12 October 2022?

They go into a ballot system that has its first selection on 8 August 2023.

How long does an EOI remain valid in the ballot if it is not selected?

2 years from when it was selected.

Will the government change the income requirements for sponsors?

From 27 February 2023, a new median wage of $29.66 per hour was applied. You won't have to meet the median wage requirement if your role is exempt.

How is INZ selecting EOIs?

INZ selects EOIs every 3 months from 2 sets.

The queue contains EOIs received before 12 October 2022. The first selection was 14 November 2022.
The ballot contains EOIs received from 12 October 2022 onwards. The first selection is 8 August 2023.

Is there an EOI submission deadline for each month that draws are made from the ballot?

EOIs should be submitted before the first day of the selection month to be considered for that month’s ballot. For example, if you want to be considered for the November draw, ensure your EOI is submitted on or before 31 October.

Along with this one-time September draw, EOI selections will take place every three months starting August 2023, i.e. November, February, May, August.

I did not know I needed to submit my EOI before 1 August 2023 to be considered for the 8 August ballot. Does this mean my EOI won't be considered?

INZ has acknowledged this lack of clear communication and has decided to run an additional ballot in September 2023. 100 EOIs will be selected from the pool in this draw. If you want to have your EOI considered for this draw, you must submit your EOI by 31 August 2023.

How long does the entire process take?

At the time of writing, timeframes have not been published on the INZ website as it has not determined the time horizon yet. These details will be released in due course.

Who can be my co-sponsor?

For the first time ever, INZ has now allowed co-sponsors to be either spouses (was always the case) or siblings (newly introduced). If using your spouse as a co-sponsor, you must have lived together for at least 12 months.