Status: Archived update
This is a dated record of a past INZ update. Confirm the current position before making plans.
Pacific access category and Samoan quota draw and results overview
Immigration New Zealand conducted the annual Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota ballot draw on 20 May 2026, establishing the applicant pool for residence. Official reference numbers for successful registrants were subsequently published by 29 May 2026 [1].
What this means in practice
The draw determined which registered citizens from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati, and Tuvalu were selected to lodge residence applications under established annual quotas. Approved allocations permitted up to 1,100 Samoan, 250 Tongan, 250 Fijian, 75 Kiribati, and 75 Tuvaluan citizens to be granted residence. Registrations frequently included family members, and drawing numbers accounted for contingency requirements. Applicants with dependent children met a minimum annual income threshold of NZD $55,404.96.
Who should check this
This archived record is relevant for registered participants verifying historical draw timelines, community members reviewing past Pacific migration allocations, and researchers examining annual quota outcomes.
Practical checklist
- Verify historical ballot status through official Immigration New Zealand announcements if referencing past applications [1].
- Review documentation requirements for subsequent residence categories if planning for future ballot rounds.
- Confirm updated income thresholds and family criteria for upcoming migration cycles.
Important limits or current position
Ballot selection grants an opportunity to apply for residence but does not guarantee visa approval. All formal applications remain subject to statutory health, character, and eligibility assessments under New Zealand immigration instructions.
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 1 May 2026 [1]. Article status: Archived update as at 22 August 2026.
[1] Immigration New Zealand, "Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota draw takes place on 20 May 2026," Immigration New Zealand News Centre, 1 May 2026, Open source on immigration.govt.nz ↗