Status: Archived update
This is a dated record of a past INZ update. Confirm the current position before making plans.
Immigration New Zealand published the results of the 2026 Pacific Access Category ballot following the draw held on 20 May 2026. Successful registrants across Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati, and Tuvalu are being directly notified and invited to apply for New Zealand residence.
What this means in practice
The Pacific Access Category provides an annual residence pathway for citizens of participating Pacific nations. Following the May 2026 draw, Immigration New Zealand allocated residence quotas permitting up to 250 citizens from Tonga, 250 from Fiji, 75 from Kiribati, and 75 from Tuvalu to lodge formal residence applications.
Because registrations often encompass multi-member family units, the total number of drawn registration entries differs from the final approved individual count. Registrants whose entries were selected are contacted directly by Immigration New Zealand with application instructions. Unsuccessful registrants cannot apply under this year quota and must await the reopening of the annual ballot in 2027.
Who should check this
This archived update is relevant for citizens of Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati, and Tuvalu who submitted registrations for the 2026 Pacific Access Category ballot, as well as family members included within those registration files.
Practical checklist
- Check official Immigration New Zealand notifications or accounts to confirm whether your ballot entry was selected.
- Await direct application instructions and submission timelines from Immigration New Zealand if your registration was successful.
- Prepare civil, identity, and supporting documentation for all family members included in the drawn registration file.
- Monitor official channels to prepare for the 2027 ballot registration reopening if your entry was unsuccessful.
Important limits or current position
Ballot selection grants eligibility to apply for residence but does not guarantee a visa outcome, as applicants must satisfy all statutory health, character, English language, and sponsorship criteria.
Not sure whether this update affects your plan? Start your NZ visa assessment
This article is general information, not individual immigration advice.
Source note: Based on the official Immigration New Zealand announcement published on 29 May 2026 [1]. Article status: Archived update.
[1] Immigration New Zealand. (2026, May 29). 2026 Pacific Access Category ballot results. Open source on immigration.govt.nz ↗