Applications for the Samoan Quota scheme which closed last month are currently being screened by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) with final numbers to be confirmed later this month. 

The quota draw which was officially opened in August 2023 has increased by 550 from the traditional 1,100 a year to 1,650 this year. 

In response to questions from the Samoa Observer, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Immigration, Simon Sanders gave an update on the current status of the Samoan Quota scheme. 

“Registrations for the annual ballot opened in August 2023 and the draw will take place on 6 October 2023,” said Mr. Sanders. “We are currently in the process of going through the registrations to confirm that they meet the requirements to be entered into the ballot.  

“Final numbers will not be known until late September.”

The quota is an annual ballot scheme which is a longstanding visa category that allows people from Samoa to become permanent residents of New Zealand. 

The online registration for the quota scheme has been in place since October 2022 when borders opened after the COVID-19 pandemic. It follows successful consultations between INZ and Pacific Governments through New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

INZ says the move to online registrations allows for applications to be processed more efficiently and provides flexibility to process across the INZ Network. 

Tentatively the draw to randomly select successful applications by ballot is scheduled for 6 October 2023 followed by correspondence being sent to successful applicants from 16-20 October 2023. The successful applicants are required to apply for New Zealand residency within eight months of being issued their Invitation to Apply (ITA) form.

In 2022 there were about 17,000 Samoans who registered for the Samoan quota and only about 4 per cent of that total were successfully drawn to become permanent N.Z. residents.