If you are the parent(s) of a New Zealand citizen or resident, who has been a New Zealand resident for at least three years, you may be eligible to join them in New Zealand under our Parent Category.

Expressing interest in applying

If you want to apply for residence as the parent of a New Zealand resident or citizen, you will first need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and then be invited to apply. Once you have received an invitation to apply, you may make a residence application. The Parent Category cannot be applied for without first receiving an invitation to apply.

How are Parent Category EOIs prioritised?

The Parent Category is a two tier scheme where people can submit an EOI under either tier one or tier two of the category. Tier one has the first priority and has higher income and financial requirements than tier two. Applications lodged under the previous Family Parent Category take second priority. Tier two EOI and applications are processed only after tier one and applications lodged under the previous instructions.

How long will it take?

Demand for Parent Category residence places currently exceeds the number of places available. A queue is needed to manage Parent Category EOIs because, under the New Zealand Government Residence Programme, the Capped Family stream (which includes the Parent Category) is currently allocated 14,850 to 16,500 places between July 2011 and June 2014.

The time taken to allocate an EOI/application for processing varies depending on which tier you submit your EOI under, or whether you have an application lodged under the previous Parent Category.

This is the approximate length of time it could take for your EOI to be selected from the Pool. These timeframes could change depending on how many tier one EOIs are received.

 

A draw will take place every three months. The number of places available in the draw will depend on the number of places available under the New Zealand Residence Programme.

 

Once allocated, the average processing timeframe is four to six months, but this can be longer depending on issues that have to be assessed, such as health. Please note that the times given for allocation and decision are indicative only and may be subject to change.

 

See the results of recent draws.

 

What if I lodged a Family Parent Category application before 16 May 2012?

If you have already lodged a Family Parent Category application before 16 May 2012, your application will remain in a queue until a place becomes available. These applications will be processed after tier one EOIs.

 

If you think you are able to meet the requirements of tier one, you may be eligible to have your application fee waived if you re-apply. You will still need to submit an EOI and pay the EOI fee first. If you are invited to apply, your application fee will be waived. Only people applying under Tier One will be eligible for this fee waiver, not those applying under Tier Two. 

 

If your EOI is selected and you are invited to apply for residence (under tier one or two), your medical and police certificates from your current Family Parent Category residence application may still be considered valid for your new application. You will not need to submit a new medical or police certificate with your application. However, an immigration officer may request an updated medical or police certificate if they believe it is necessary.

 

See if you are eligible.

 

For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions or Parent Category changes factsheet PDF [41KB].