25 Mar 2019

Immigration NZ calls for Pacific citizens to register for ballot

2:11 pm on 25 March 2019

Pacific islanders are being encouraged by Immigration New Zealand to register for this year's ballot under the Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category.

Immigration to New Zealand.

Immigration to New Zealand. Photo: RNZ

The ballot, open to citizens of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati and Tuvalu takes place between 1 and 30 April.

Each year up to 1100 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan and Fijian citizens and 75 Kiribati and Tuvaluan citizens are selected by ballot to be considered for residence in New Zealand.

Eligible citizens of these five countries need to be aged between 18 and 45.

After selection the registrants will then have eight months to lodge their resident visa applications.

By then they will also have to show they have an acceptable job offer from a New Zealand employer.

The relevant ballot registration forms and guides can be found [here https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/tools-and-information/forms-guides-and-checklists]

Limited numbers of forms will be available at the INZ offices in Nuku'alofa and Apia.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to register their interest as early as possible.

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