-
Travel disrupted by
the Middle East
situation
- Issued: Monday 02 Mar 2026, 07:10 pm NZDT
We have established a priority phone line from Monday to Friday for people to contact us about this specific situation. Call 0508 558 855 (toll free from NZ landlines) or +64 9 914 4100 and press option 7. For information about what options are available to you, check:
Middle East: advice for temporary visa holders in New Zealand affected by travel disruptions
Registrations are now open for the 2026 Samoan Quota and the Pacific Access Category.
The Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category are 2 longstanding visa categories that allow people from the Pacific to become permanent residents in New Zealand. Both schemes operate through an annual ballot.
This year, up to 1,100 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan and 250 Fijian citizens and 75 Kiribati and 75 Tuvaluan citizens will be invited to apply for New Zealand residence. You can register for the annual ballot online.
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa
Online guides are available on our website to help you register your ballot. These are available in English and Samoan for the Samoan Quota, and in several Pacific languages for Pacific Access Category.
Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota guides and flyers
The 2026 Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category ballots will close on 30th April 2026 at 17:00 New Zealand Standard Time (NZST).
The Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota draw takes place on 20 May 2026.
- Announcement
Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota registrations are now open for 2026
Published 01 April 2026
Registrations are now open for the 2026 Samoan Quota and the Pacific Access Category.
The Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category are 2 longstanding visa categories that allow people from the Pacific to become permanent residents in New Zealand. Both schemes operate through an annual ballot.
This year, up to 1,100 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan and 250 Fijian citizens and 75 Kiribati and 75 Tuvaluan citizens will be invited to apply for New Zealand residence. You can register for the annual ballot online.
Samoan Quota Resident Visa
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa
Online guides are available on our website to help you register your ballot. These are available in English and Samoan for the Samoan Quota, and in several Pacific languages for Pacific Access Category.
Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota guides and flyers
The 2026 Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category ballots will close on 30th April 2026 at 17:00 New Zealand Standard Time (NZST).
The Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota draw takes place on 20 May 2026.