What is required – Pacific Access Category

You need to meet a number of requirements before you can apply for residence in New Zealand under the Pacific Access Category.

The Pacific Access Category is run by ballot. You can only apply for residence under this category if your registration is drawn from the ballot.

To be able to register you must:

• be a citizen of one of the PAC countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga or Tuvalu)
• have been born in your PAC country, or have been born overseas to a PAC country citizen who was born in your PAC country
• Register for the ballot for the PAC quota for your country within the official registration period
• Ensure you will be aged 18 to 45 years at the time your application for residence is made to INZ
• have your registration drawn from the relevant Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu or Kiribati pool.

 

If in New Zealand, you must be lawfully in New Zealand to register.

 

If your registration is drawn:

 

• you must apply for residence under the Pacific Access Category within six months of written advice from Immigration New Zealand that your registration has been drawn or by any later date that may be advised by Immigration New Zealand.  Please note: If you will turn 46 within this six month period, your residence application must be lodged with Immigration New Zealand before you turn 46.

 

To apply for residence you must:

• have your registration drawn from the ballot; and
• be aged between 18 and 45 years inclusive; and
• be in good health; and
• be of good character; and
• meet a minimum level of English language ability; and
• have an acceptable offer of employment in New Zealand and/or have a partner who has an acceptable offer of employment; and
• meet a minimum level of income requirement if you have dependent children.

 

What about my partner and children?

Your partner and any dependent children can be included in your application for residence.

 

To be approved residence you and your partner must meet our partnership requirements and your partner and any dependent children must meet health and character requirements.

 

Take a short cut to find out

Use our quick check and our examples to find out if you are likely to be approved residence.

 

If you’re approved, we’ll issue you with a residence visa and permit enabling you to live in New Zealand indefinitely.

 

I registered before but was not successful, can I register again?

Yes. If you have previously registered but not been successful, and wish to register again in another registration period, you may do so at a reduced fee.