The world of immigration can often be complex and confusing, especially when it comes to understanding the nuances of various visa categories and their respective application processes. One such category is the Parent Resident Visa, which is under the spotlight due to recent changes in the Expression of Interest (EOI) selection process.
Introduced with the aim of allowing parents of residents or citizens to live in New Zealand, the Parent Resident Visa has seen some changes in its EOI selection process that came into effect from October 12, 2022. It is crucial for applicants to be aware of these changes to effectively plan their application and maximize their chances of success.
One of the significant changes is the introduction of two sets of EOI selections – the queue and the ballot. Your EOI will go into either of these sets based on the date of receipt.
The Queue
EOIs received on or before October 11, 2022, fall into the queue. The process prioritizes the oldest EOIs first. The first selection from the queue occurred on November 14, 2022, and the goal is to approve around 2,000 visas each year from this queue until there are no remaining EOIs. The queue-based EOI selections do not have an expiry date, but applicants can withdraw their EOIs from the queue if they wish to do so.
The Ballot
Unlike the queue, EOIs in the ballot have an expiry period of two years. Moreover, an individual can only be included in one EOI in the ballot. However, if an individual has an EOI in the queue (submitted before October 12, 2022), they can submit another EOI to the ballot. It’s also important to note that it’s more advantageous to submit your EOI closer to the selection date in the ballot system.