The new Parent category:
• has an EOI process and single tier of applications
• requires sponsorship by an adult child, or an adult child and their partner
• requires the adult child and their partner to both agree to sponsorship obligations if joint
income is used to meet sponsorship requirements
• introduces new financial measures for sponsors based on the New Zealand median income
• requires sponsors to meet the income criteria for two out of the three years before the
application for residence, and to provide evidence of their annual income through Inland
Revenue tax statements
• takes into account the total number of parents that sponsors are committed to sponsor,
including previous resident visas granted under the Parent Category, when determining the
income criteria for an application.
Overview
a. An application for a resident visa under the Parent Category is a two-stage process.
People who intend to submit an application for a resident visa under the Parent Category must first submit an expression of interest (EOI) in the prescribed manner (see F4.5).
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b. EOIs are entered into a Pool of EOIs and selection from the Pool may result in an invitation to apply for a resident visa under the Parent Category.
c. EOIs may result in an invitation to apply for residence if claims made in the EOI concerning health, character, English language requirement, family relationship and sponsorship requirements are assessed as credible by an immigration officer.
d. A residence application under the Parent Category will be approved if the requirements for health, character, English language, family relationships and sponsorship (including minimum income thresholds) are met (see F4.15).
e. Applications for a resident visa must be in the prescribed manner and lodged within four months from the date of the invitation to apply letter (see F4.10.1).

Annual limit to number of resident visas available under the Parent Category
The number of resident visas that can be granted under the Parent Category is limited to 1,000 people for each year ending 30 June.
New immigration instructions come into effect on 24 February 2020 and clients will be able to submit Expressions of Interest from this date.
 
INZ will be emailing people who have a current EOI in the Parent Category pool to inform them that full details about the Parent Category are now available and instructions on how to update their EOI. 
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