New Zealand has changed how it selects Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the Parent Resident Visa. Since 5 October 2026, valid EOIs have been placed in one pool. Around 90% are selected in submission-date order. Around 10% are selected by random ballot.
The first selection under the new model is scheduled for 10 November 2026. The annual cap remains 2,500 visa approvals in principle.
Here’s what changed, what existing EOI holders need to know, and what families should check before taking their next step.
How the hybrid selection model works
An EOI is the first step in the Parent Resident Visa process. It is not a visa application or a guarantee of an invitation.
Under the new model, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) selects EOIs from one pool in two ways:
- Around 90% are selected in submission-date order, with earlier EOIs selected first.
- Around 10% are selected through a random ballot.
INZ says selections are expected to happen four times a year. On each selection date, it selects EOIs from the queue first, followed by the ballot.
The first round is scheduled for 10 November 2026. Check INZ’s EOI selection process information for the latest dates and instructions.
The percentages describe how EOIs are selected. They do not mean each person has a 10% chance of selection in a particular round. Selection depends on the pool and the applicable process. If selected, an EOI is checked. INZ may then invite the applicant to apply, or advise that the EOI will be declined.
What changed from the old two-tier system?
Previously, EOIs were managed in two priority tiers. Tier 1 EOIs were selected first. Tier 2 EOIs were considered after Tier 1, subject to the applicable rules and queue position.
The hybrid system replaces that tier structure with a single pool. Most selections follow submission-date order. A smaller portion comes from the random ballot.
In practice, this combines a queue-based route with a limited ballot route. It gives earlier EOIs priority for most selections, while leaving some opportunity for newer EOIs to be selected. It does not remove the annual cap or change the visa’s eligibility criteria.
What existing EOI holders need to do
If you had a valid EOI on 5 October 2026, INZ says you do not need to take action now. Queue positions were still being finalised following the change. INZ says it will contact eligible EOI holders directly when position information is available. It has asked people not to contact it simply to request their queue position.
Keep your contact email current and check your inbox, including spam folders. If your circumstances or contact details change, follow INZ’s instructions for updating your EOI.
INZ has also confirmed transitional provisions for the new queue. If your current EOI is a replacement for an earlier EOI that expired, and you submitted the new EOI within 90 days of the previous one expiring, your queue position can be based on your original EOI submission date. If you waited longer than 90 days, or your current EOI is your first, the current submission date applies. For the transitional provisions to apply, one same person must be named on all the EOIs concerned. If you believe these provisions affect your position, it is worth checking your situation carefully before the queue positions are finalised.
There is also an ongoing requirement. EOIs no longer automatically expire after two years, but applicants must confirm that they want to remain in the pool. INZ requires this confirmation within six months of each two-year anniversary of the EOI submission date. Miss the deadline and the EOI may be removed from the pool.
Already have an EOI? Check the current INZ guidance on the 2026 changes and set a reminder for your confirmation deadline.
The selection process is not the eligibility test
Being selected from the pool does not itself establish eligibility. The EOI is assessed, and an invitation to apply comes only if the relevant steps are met.
In outline, the pathway may involve:
- An eligible adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident sponsoring a parent.
- The sponsor meeting the applicable income and sponsorship requirements.
- Family-composition and balance-of-family considerations, where applicable.
- The applicant meeting health and character requirements.
- Meeting other visa criteria, which may include English-language requirements.
This is an outline, not a complete eligibility assessment. The sponsor’s circumstances, the family’s location and composition, and the applicant’s personal history can all matter. Review the current Parent Resident Visa requirements on INZ’s website before acting.
For help understanding the New Zealand pathway alongside Australian options, see our migration services or migration agent Adelaide information.
How this compares with Australian parent visas
Families often compare New Zealand’s Parent Resident Visa with Australian parent pathways. The selection systems are different.
Australia offers contributory and non-contributory parent visa options. These include permanent and temporary pathways. Parent visa applications are subject to capping and queueing, and processing can involve very long waits. The Australian Department of Home Affairs explains the categories and queue process on its parent visas page.
Do not assume that an Australian parent visa queue works like New Zealand’s EOI pool. The selection rules, sponsor criteria and eligibility requirements differ. The right comparison depends on the family’s circumstances and current settings in both countries.
Australian parent pathways are not the only option for bringing family together. Some families instead explore skilled migration, where a parent who is themselves work-qualified may pursue state nomination or regional skilled visas. That is a separate pathway with its own occupation lists and criteria, and it is not a substitute for a parent visa. If your family is weighing skilled options against parent visas across both countries, our article on care sector migration pathways in Australia and New Zealand offers a side-by-side comparison for one common occupation group.
Plan around your family’s circumstances
Start with the basics:
- Confirm whether the parent has a potentially eligible sponsor.
- Review the sponsor’s income and sponsorship position against current INZ requirements.
- Check family-composition considerations and the applicant’s health and character circumstances.
- If an EOI is already in the pool, check its status and record the next confirmation deadline.
- Compare New Zealand and Australian pathways using current official information.
A selection model can affect when an EOI may be considered. It does not promise selection, an invitation, or a visa grant.
Need to discuss a parent visa pathway? Book a consultation with Skillage Nimbus or call +61 8 9131 6011.
Ashish Thapa, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217972) and Licensed Immigration Adviser (New Zealand) (IAA 202503676).
General information disclaimer
This article is general information, not individual migration advice. It reflects INZ’s 5 October 2026 announcement and related official guidance, including the hybrid selection split, first selection date, annual cap, EOI-holder responsibilities and outline eligibility matters. Immigration settings can change frequently. Verify the current selection arrangements, dates, cap, EOI requirements and eligibility directly with Immigration New Zealand. For the Australia comparison, check current parent visa categories and queue information with the Department of Home Affairs. Eligibility and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. No outcome is guaranteed.
Learn More
Compare your options with a professional before making decisions about an EOI, sponsorship or visa application.
Book a consultation with Skillage Nimbus
Or call +61 8 9131 6011.
Frequently asked questions
What is the new Parent Resident Visa EOI selection model?
Since 5 October 2026, valid EOIs are in one pool. Around 90% are selected in submission-date order and around 10% by random ballot.
When is the first selection under the new model?
INZ has scheduled the first selection for 10 November 2026. Check INZ’s website for updates before relying on this date.
Do existing EOI holders need to do anything now?
If the EOI was valid on 5 October 2026, INZ says no action is needed at this stage. Queue positions were being finalised, and INZ says it will contact eligible EOI holders directly.
Does an EOI automatically expire after two years?
No. Under the new process, an EOI does not automatically expire after two years, provided the applicant confirms their interest within the required timeframe. INZ says confirmation is due within six months of each two-year anniversary.
Has the annual Parent Resident Visa cap changed?
No. INZ says the annual cap remains 2,500 visa approvals in principle. The selection model changed, not the stated cap.
Does selection guarantee an invitation or visa?
No. Selection is one stage. INZ checks the EOI, and applicants must meet the relevant requirements to be invited to apply. A visa outcome depends on the application and the person’s circumstances.