Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota draw takes place on 20 May 2026

The ballots for the Pacific Access Category (PAC) Resident Visa and Samoan Quota (SQ) Resident Visa to select who will be invited to apply for residence in New Zealand will be drawn on 20 May 2026. The results will be published by 29 May 2026.

The PAC and SQ residence pathways recognise the special relationship between New Zealand and Samoa and the Pacific Access Category countries of Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Fiji.

This year up to 1,100 Samoan, 250 Tongan, 250 Fijian, 75 Kiribati and 75 Tuvaluan citizens may be invited to apply for residence under each category.

Registrations in the ballot will be drawn to meet these quotas. Ballot registrations can include more than 1 person, for example, if a family are included under the same registration.

We will publish successful registrant reference numbers on the Immigration New Zealand website by 29 May 2026.

If your ballot is selected, we will send you a letter with an invitation to apply after the reference numbers are published. This letter will include information about how to apply for your resident visa.

You must apply for New Zealand residence within 8 months of receiving an invitation to apply.

New income threshold

The minimum income requirement for those applying for residence under PAC and SQ with dependent children will be NZD $55,404.96 a year from 30 April 2026.

This will apply to those who are invited to apply for residence following this ballot draw. This requirement is to ensure that parents can support their dependent children in New Zealand. The income of a secondary applicant partner may also be considered, as long as both applicants have an acceptable offer of employment in New Zealand. 

More information:

Samoan Quota Resident Visa

Pacific Access Category Resident Visa