The article below was published in 2022. Check the 2023 Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category information.
The Samoan Quota (SQ) and Pacific Access Category (PAC) resident visas will reopen in October. Suspended due to borders closure in 2020, these resident visa categories will allow workers from Pacific countries to work and live in New Zealand.
Registration for the ballot for Samoan Quota visas will reopen from 3 October to 2 November 2022, and 1,650 Samoan citizens will be able to register this year. As for the Pacific Access Category, registrations will open between 5 October and 4 November 2022 and the maximum number of available spaces for 2022 and 2023 are as follows:
- 500 Fijian citizens each year
- 150 Kiribati citizens each year
- 500 Tongan citizens each year
- 150 Tuvaluan citizens each year
To be eligible for one of these resident visas, people must be between 18 and 45 years old (inclusive) when they apply, be able to read, write and speak English, and have a genuine job offer in New Zealand. Applicants will be able to bring dependent children under 24 years old if the job offer pays at least NZD $49,159 a year and they are included in the ballot registration.
Registrations will be made online, except for citizens of Kiribati and Tuvalu, which will have the option to use a paper based form. Forms can be filled on behalf by family, friends or other representatives. Fees will be charged for the Pacific Access Category. People invited to apply for a PAC or SQ resident visa will have eight months to submit their application. These will be processed by Immigration New Zealand's Pacific offices.
More information about these visa categories can be found on Immigration New Zealand website:
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa
Or get in touch with us for a consultation with one of our Licensed Immigration Advisers or if you would like assistance with job search in New Zealand.
Disclaimer: information provided in this article is general only and it does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Due to the continuously evolving nature of New Zealand Immigration policies, Trinity can provide no warranty as to its accuracy, reliability or completeness, other than accuracy at the time of publication. Before taking any course of action related to this article you should make your own inquiries and seek further advice on whether it is suitable for your circumstance. Trinity Employment Services has in house Licensed Immigration Advisers who will be happy to help you with your enquiries.
