Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota registrations are now open for 2026

Registrations are now open for the 2026 Samoan Quota and the Pacific Access Category.

The Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category are 2 longstanding visa categories that allow people from the Pacific to become permanent residents in New Zealand. Both schemes operate through an annual ballot.

This year, up to 1,100 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan and 250 Fijian citizens and 75 Kiribati and 75 Tuvaluan citizens will be invited to apply for New Zealand residence. You can register for the annual ballot online.

Samoan Quota Resident Visa

Pacific Access Category Resident Visa

Online guides are available on our website to help you register your ballot. These are available in English and Samoan for the Samoan Quota, and in several Pacific languages for Pacific Access Category.

Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota guides and flyers

The 2026 Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category ballots will close on 30th April 2026 at 17:00 New Zealand Standard Time (NZST).

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