Why Now Could Be the Best Time to Apply for a Parent Resident Visa
18 July 2025
2025 could be the best time to apply for a Parent Resident Visa. If you are looking to find out about your family’s pathway to residency in New Zealand, get in touch with our expert immigration team. We can help.
This opportunity is the best chance in years to apply
On 1 July 2025, Immigration New Zealand reset the annual Parent Resident Visa ballot pool, clearing long-standing legacy backlogs and dramatically increasing the number of applications selected from the Expression of Interest (EOI) ballot.
For many New Zealander residents or citizens hoping to bring their parents here permanently, this opportunity provides the best chance in years to apply.
The Parent Resident Visa scheme and the EOI pool explained
The Parent Resident Visa allows parents of New Zealand citizens or residents to live in New Zealand permanently, provided certain sponsorship and financial criteria are met. But unlike other visa categories, this scheme operates through a ballot system, meaning only a limited number of expressions of interest (EOIs) are selected at random for processing each year.
What’s changed that makes this the best time to submit an EOI for the Parent Resident Visa?
- As of 1 July 2025, the annual approval cap for the Parent Resident Visa has risen to 2,500 per year, a significant jump from the previous ballot allocation of just 500 approvals per year through the Expression of Interest pool.
- A complete clearing of the backlog, all EOIs submitted before 2022 have now been processed or removed from the queue.
- Regular quarterly ballot rounds, with the next scheduled for 12 August 2025. EOIs for this round must be submitted before the cut-off on 31 July 2025.
What the latest Immigration New Zealand statistics show
While the process remains competitive, selection odds are now significantly better than they were just months ago. According to the latest Immigration New Zealand data:
- There are currently around 10,000 expressions of interest (EOIs) or 15,500 people in the pool.
- Approximately 400 to 600 EOIs are selected per quarter to make up the annual 2,500 visa approvals.
With roughly 2,500 places distributed among all currently submitted EOIs, each EOI entry now has an approximately 24% annual chance of selection based on the available statistics.
Is now a good time to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)?
Yes, now is a great time to submit an EOI, particularly now. Here’s why:
- The backlog has cleared. All the EOIs submitted before 10 October 2022 that were slowing the system down have now been processed.
- The full visa quota is open to the ballot, meaning 100% of the 2,500 annual visas are allocated via ballot, giving new EOIs a good chance.
The selection odds are far more favourable. Under the previous system, there was an approximately 4% chance of being selected annually, whereas now it sits around 24%.
Frequently asked questions
From 29th of September 2025, both New Zealand and Australia will offer long-term visitor visas for parents of citizens and residents. Australia’s equivalent, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870), has been available since July 2019. While both schemes are designed to strengthen family connection, they differ in eligibility requirements, duration, costs and conditions:
- What if my parents are overseas?
If your parents are currently overseas, they are still eligible to participate in the Parent Resident Visa EOI ballot process. The system is designed to accommodate applicants regardless of their current country of residence.
- How long is an Expression of Interest (EOI) valid for?
Your Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Parent Resident Visa is valid for two years from the date it was submitted into the pool.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How professional help with your visa application can make a difference
Despite these positive changes, this process remains a very competitive one. Seeking professional legal help will improve your chances of success by ensuring your submission is accurate and complete.
At Pitt & Moore, our immigration team can assist with:
- Confirming sponsor eligibility and financial requirements
- Preparing and submitting your Expressions of Interest (EOI) correctly
- Responding efficiently to an invitation to apply
- Advising you on suitable supporting documents
- Preparing and submitting your residence application
The time to act is now. Get in touch today to discuss how our immigration team can help reunite your family.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is of a general nature and is not intended as legal advice. It is important that you seek legal advice that is specific to your circumstances.
