ACT drives change for fairer parent visa settings

”ACT has been pushing for a fairer, more certain system for migrant families, and today’s announcement shows ACT is again driving the change in Government” says ACT’s Immigration spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar.

“In February, I asked Immigration Minister Erica Stanford to replace the Parent Resident Visa ballot with a queue-based system, while keeping the existing annual cap.

“Today’s announcement shifts 90% of applicants to a queue-based system, while 10% remain at the mercy of the ballot. An even fairer solution would be to make the system 100% queue-based.

“The ballot makes family reunification a matter of luck. A queue gives eligible families certainty that the time they have already spent waiting will be recognised, without increasing the number of visas granted.

”People who work hard, contribute, and play by the rules should have confidence they can build their future here. Unlocking New Zealand’s potential means attracting and retaining talented people by giving them certainty, while protecting taxpayers with sensible rules.

“ACT also advocated for removing the two-year expiry of expressions of interest and creating a Parent Boost Visa that safeguards taxpayers without requiring families to purchase expensive private insurance.

“ACT will continue campaigning for sensible parent visa settings, including a Parent Boost Visa that protects taxpayers without imposing unnecessarily costly private insurance.”

Note to editors: Attached is Dr Parmjeet Parmar's February letter.