Registrations will open for the 2026 Samoan Quota and the Pacific Access Category on April 1, 2026 at 08:00 New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT).
The Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category are longstanding visa categories that allow people from the Pacific to become permanent residents in New Zealand. Both schemes operate through an annual ballot.
In 2026, up to 1100 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan citizens, 250 Fijian citizens, 75 Kiribati citizens and 75 Tuvaluan citizens may be invited to apply for residence. Prospective applicants can register for the annual ballot online.
The 2026 Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category ballots will close on April 30, 2026 at 17:00 New Zealand Standard Time (NZST).
Erickson Insights & Analysis
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