Status: Archived update This is a dated record of a past INZ update. Confirm the current position before making plans.
Immigration New Zealand opened online registrations for the 2026 Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota resident visa ballots on 1 April 2026, with the submission period closing on 30 April 2026. This annual ballot mechanism provides eligible citizens from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati, and Tuvalu with an opportunity to secure New Zealand residence.
What this means in practice
During the registration window, eligible nationals aged 18 to 45 could submit free online ballot entries through Immigration New Zealand [1]. Successful registrants drawn in subsequent ballot rounds are invited to lodge formal residence applications. Applicants or their partners must hold an acceptable job offer of 12 months or more and meet minimum income thresholds, such as $55,404.96 annually when including dependent children, alongside standard age, English language, health, and character criteria [1]. Established annual quotas permit up to 1,100 Samoan, 250 Tongan, 250 Fijian, 75 Kiribati, and 75 Tuvaluan citizens to be invited [1].
Who should check this
This archived record is relevant for participants who entered the 2026 ballot cycle, community advisors, and individuals reviewing historical intake quotas for Pacific migration pathways.
Practical checklist
- Check official Immigration New Zealand notifications for past ballot outcomes and invitation statuses [1].
- Verify that identity documents and personal records remain accurate for invited applicants [1].
- Monitor official channels for announcements regarding future annual ballot registration rounds.
Important limits or current position
Ballot registration for the 2026 allocation cycle is closed as the April deadline has passed [1]. Quotas are strictly capped according to participating country limits [1].
This article is general information, not individual immigration advice.
Not sure whether this update affects your plan? Start your NZ visa assessment
Source note: Based on an official Immigration New Zealand announcement published on 18 March 2026 [1]. Article status: Archived update.
[1] Immigration New Zealand. (2026, March 18). The 2026 Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota ballots open on 1 April 2026. Open source on immigration.govt.nz ↗