Summary of recent changes to residence pathways
Three notable amendments have been made to the New Zealand Immigration framework, taking effect prior to the end of year. These include a new hybrid selection model for the Parent Resident Visa Category; adjustments to A4.10.1 Medical conditions instructions; and additional changes to select Residence instructions and Temporary and Residence instructions. We have summarised these changes below.
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The Government has announced changes to the Parent Resident Visa Category, with a new hybrid selection model taking effect from 5 October 2026. The changes are intended to provide greater predictability within the system while retaining the opportunity for new applicants to be selected.
The Parent Resident Visa enables current New Zealand citizens and applicants to sponsor their parents’ residence in New Zealand. Family reunification is recognized as important in providing family support, stability and connection.
The Parent Resident Visa is, and will remain, a two-step process. Applicants first submit an EOI and if selected (meeting relevant requirements) will be issued an invitation to apply (ITA). Those with an ITA are eligible to submit a residence application. The Parent Visa Category eligibility requirements remain unchanged to applicants and sponsors.
However, under the new chronological model, approximately 90% of expressions of interest (EOIs) will be selected in date order, with the remaining 10% selected through ballot. The annual cap of Parent Resident Visas remains at 2,500 per financial year.
Notably:
- Current EOI holders (up to 5 October 2026) will automatically be transitioned into the new system without needing to reapply.
- Applicants who have maintained an EOI and reapplied within 90-days of their previous EOI expiry will be placed in the queue based on the date that their initial EOI was accepted.
The next selection draw will proceed as scheduled on 11 August 2026 under the current model. The following selection draw is scheduled for 10 November 2026 under the new hybrid model.
EOIs will no longer expire if not selected. Provided that applicants reconfirm their interest every 2 years and keep their details updated they will remain in the queue, with no additional fee.
This is welcome news, providing greater fairness to the process, ensuring those who have already been waiting are recognised, and giving greater certainty to those seeking to have their parents join them in New Zealand. Please get in touch with our team for further advice, if you have an EOI already lodged and wish to know how these changes affect that EOI, or if you would now like to pursue the lodging of an EOI.
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Amendments have been made to A4.10.1 Medical conditions deemed to impose significant costs and/or demands on New Zealand's health and/or education services effective 3 August 2026.
These changes remove Hepatitis B and C from the list of conditions deemed to impose significant cost; remove reference to past hospitalisation for psychiatric illness as an automatic determinant of significant cost or demand; clarify that renal or hepatic disorders need to be severe and chronic or progressive to be considered a listed condition; and add ‘or similar cost immune-suppressant medications’ to the medications listed as treatments for severe autoimmune disease that enable exclusion from the list.
This change serves to recognise the medical advancements and decreasing costs associated with controlling and treating certain conditions.
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As previously advised, changes to the residence pathways from 24 August 2026 will see three Skilled Migrant Pathways to residence (SMC), in addition to the Green List and Sector pathways:
- The existing points-based pathway
- The Skilled Work Experience pathway
- The Trades and Technicians pathway
Further clarification has been released on how the new policies will be applied. The key takeaways are:
- Self-employment will not count toward these pathways.
- NZ qualifications will be given more weight - a NZ bachelor’s degree is now worth 5 points, meaning an applicant may only need one year of skilled NZ work experience to reach the required 6 points, while an NZ master’s degree will qualify for 6 points (provided an underlying bachelor’s degree is also held).
- Overseas work experience can be demonstrated by job descriptions, employment agreement and tax records, or where tax records cannot be obtained, by a certificate of service alongside other supporting information.
- Applicants will generally be able to rely on the wage threshold that applied when they started qualifying work experience, rather than having to account for later increases. However, it is not possible to claim more than 6 points, meaning those that have an NZ Master’s degree or PhD, will need to meet the median wage at the time they are invited to apply for residence, unless they opt to claim points for a lower qualification instead, to utilize a lower median wage by claiming skilled work experience points.
- INZ have clarified the requirement that employment must be genuine, available, and ongoing, with a genuine need for the role to be based in NZ.
The broadening of the SMC policy is set to open new opportunities for skilled workers residing in New Zealand. If you are unsure which pathway is right for you, or whether you meet the new requirements, our team can help assess your circumstances and help you understand your residence options under the new framework.