New Zealand•OceaniaSamoan Quota Resident Visa
At a Glance
Varies
NZD $800
Indefinite
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
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 800.
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 800 (Band B; NZD 820 if applying in New Zealand). 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)
SamoaRequirements
PUBLISHED 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
Min. Income
54,133 NZD/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 qualifying
- 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 qualifying 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 800 (Band B, outside New Zealand) or NZD 820 (Band A, in New Zealand)
Await decision
Usually 12-24 months
Related visas
More visas in New Zealand
Work visas in other countries
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