SPECIAL CATEGORY VISAS TO NEW ZEALAND

SAMOAN QUOTA SCHEME VISA TO NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand has a special relationship with Samoa, and the Samoan Quota Scheme provides Samoan citizens work and education opportunities in New Zealand. The Samoan Quota scheme is run by a ballot scheme and the number able to be granted residence under this category is limited to 1,100 citizens of Samoa each year.

NEW ZEALAND SAMOAN QUOTA SCHEME VISA BASIC REQUIREMENTS

To make an application for residence under the Samoan Quota Scheme, applicants must first register during the official registration period. (For the 2008 ballot, registration ran from 1 April to 30 April).

To register, principle applicants must have been born in Samoa or born overseas to a Samoan citizen, and be between 18 and 45 years.

If their registration is drawn, Immigration New Zealand will issue an invitation to apply for residence. An application for residence then needs to be made within 6 months of this invitation.

To qualify for residence, applicants need to meet health and good character criteria. Principle applicants will need to have an acceptable offer of employment that meets the minimum income requirements if a partner and dependents are joining them, and meet the minimum English language requirement.

NEW ZEALAND SAMOAN QUOTA SCHEME VISA ENTITLEMENTS

Approved Samoan Quota Scheme Visa applicants will be issued a permanent residence visa and/or permit, which gives holders (and approved family members) the flexibility to settle and work anywhere in New Zealand indefinitely.

A returning resident's visa (RRV) will also be issued allowing the holder to travel in and out of New Zealand for up to two years as a New Zealand resident. After two years, applicants may be eligible for an Indefinite RRV subject to meeting the relevant residency requirements.

Permanent residents are entitled to the same rights and benefits as New Zealand citizens, including free access to public schools, subsidised tertiary education and other support, such as student loans, and subsidised public health services. Permanent residents may also apply for citizenship after satisfying the relevant residency requirements.

Email to a friend