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Samoan Quota Resident Visa

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Application Fee

3,200 NZD

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Renewable

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

Ballot-based New Zealand residence pathway for Samoan citizens aged 18-45 with a 12-month NZ job offer; 1,650 places per year, fees from NZD 820.

A ballot-based residence pathway run by Immigration New Zealand under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship with Samoa. The Samoan Quota Resident Visa offers 1,650 places per year to Samoan citizens aged 18-45 who hold an acceptable 12-month job offer (skilled or unskilled) and meet English, health, and character standards.

Ballot registration is free. If drawn, applicants are invited to lodge the residence application within 8 months; fees start from NZD 820. Families including dependent children must earn at least NZD 54,133.04 combined per year. Successful applicants live, work and study indefinitely, and may apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after 2 years.

This visa is ideal for Samoan-born citizens aged 18-45 with a confirmed 12-month NZ job offer who want a low-cost, non-skills-tested route to permanent residence.

Annual Cap & Quota

1650

Eligible Nationalities (1)

Samoa

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Samoan citizenship (born in Samoa or have a Samoan-born parent)

Aged 18-45 at ballot registration closing date

Acceptable job offer for 12+ months (or partner with offer)

Read, write and speak English (assessed by INZ)

Good health (medical examination and chest X-ray)

Good character (police certificates from countries lived 12+ months in last 10 years)

If including dependent children: combined income at least NZD 54,133.04/year

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

Min. Income

54,133 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Passport

Job offer

Medical certificate

Police certificate

Citizenship evidence

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Residence on grant — live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely
Direct pathway to Permanent Resident Visa after 2 years of compliance
No minimum education or skills test — unskilled job offers qualify
Low application fee from NZD 820; ballot registration is free
Partner and dependent children up to age 24 can be included on the same application
Spouse gains full work rights on the same residence visa

Worth Knowing

Allocation capped at 1,650 places per year — selection is by random ballot
Acceptable 12-month job offer required from a compliant NZ employer
If including dependent children, combined annual income must be at least NZD 54,133.04
Residence application must be lodged within 8 months of being drawn
English language ability tested by INZ interview at application stage
Only Samoan citizens aged 18-45 (born in Samoa or with a Samoan-born parent) are eligible
No job offer (yours or partner's) — application cannot proceed
Employer on Labour Inspectorate non-compliant list disqualifies the job offer

Application Process

Verify Samoan citizenship: Confirm eligible Samoan citizen status

Register for ballot: Submit online registration

Await ballot draw: Held annually in May

Secure job offer: If selected, obtain employment

Receive invitation: Invitation to apply letter

Complete application: Full residence visa application

Health examination: Medical assessment

Police certificate: Good character certificate

Pay fee: NZD 3,200

Await decision: Usually 12-24 months

Application Forms

Go to application portal

Samoan Quota Registration

—

Verified Claims (12)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Annual Allocation	1650	immigration.govt.nz
Application Steps · 1	Register for ballot online (free) during annual registration window	immigration.govt.nz
Application Steps · 8	Pay residence visa fee from NZD 820	immigration.govt.nz
Fee Breakdown · 0 · amount	820	immigration.govt.nz
Fees	From NZD 820	immigration.govt.nz
Job Offer Required	true	immigration.govt.nz
Language Req	English (INZ conducts a verbal/reading assessment after invitation)	immigration.govt.nz
Application Portal	https://www.immigration.govt.nz/formshelp/pac-sq-registration	immigration.govt.nz

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Overview

Ballot-based New Zealand residence pathway for Samoan citizens aged 18-45 with a 12-month NZ job offer; 1,650 places per year, fees from NZD 820.

This visa is ideal for Samoan-born citizens aged 18-45 with a confirmed 12-month NZ job offer who want a low-cost, non-skills-tested route to permanent residence.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Samoan citizenship (born in Samoa or have a Samoan-born parent)

Aged 18-45 at ballot registration closing date

Acceptable job offer for 12+ months (or partner with offer)

Read, write and speak English (assessed by INZ)

Good health (medical examination and chest X-ray)

Good character (police certificates from countries lived 12+ months in last 10 years)

If including dependent children: combined income at least NZD 54,133.04/year

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

Min. Income

54,133 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Passport

Job offer

Medical certificate

Police certificate

Citizenship evidence

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Residence on grant — live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely
Direct pathway to Permanent Resident Visa after 2 years of compliance
No minimum education or skills test — unskilled job offers qualify
Low application fee from NZD 820; ballot registration is free
Partner and dependent children up to age 24 can be included on the same application
Spouse gains full work rights on the same residence visa

Worth Knowing

Allocation capped at 1,650 places per year — selection is by random ballot
Acceptable 12-month job offer required from a compliant NZ employer
If including dependent children, combined annual income must be at least NZD 54,133.04
Residence application must be lodged within 8 months of being drawn
English language ability tested by INZ interview at application stage
Only Samoan citizens aged 18-45 (born in Samoa or with a Samoan-born parent) are eligible
No job offer (yours or partner's) — application cannot proceed
Employer on Labour Inspectorate non-compliant list disqualifies the job offer