Visa applications submitted in advance help in planning the trip. (Photo credit: Adobe stock photo)
New Zealand will increase visa fees for most categories from 1 October 2024. Student visa application fees will double, but will remain significantly lower than current visa fees in Australia.
Fees for a student visa will increase from NZD 375 to NZD 750, while for post-study work visas, they will increase from NZD 700 to NZD 1,670.
The move comes just a month after Australia’s decision to double its student visa application fees to AUD$1,600 (NZ$1,750), and compares with the relatively low visa fees charged in other major study destinations including Canada, CDN$150 (NZ$180) and the United States, US$185 (NZ$310).
Meanwhile, those applying for a visitor visa will be charged NZD 341 instead of the current fee of NZD 211.
Under the new policy, application fees for a Skilled Residence visa will increase from NZD 4,290 to NZD 6,450.
Family category visa fees will increase from NZD 2,750 to NZD 5,360.
The benefit for those in the parent pension category will more than double, from NZD 5,260 to NZD 12,850.
The upcoming policy will also affect those applying for a temporary visa in New Zealand.
Key changes:
Student visas:Fees will double, significantly impacting international students.
Work visas: Fees will increase and a new immigration tax will be added to the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Pacific Island Nations: Visa fees will remain unchanged to support these communities.
Reasons for increase:
Coverage of processing costs: The government aims to make the immigration system financially sustainable.
Managing increased workload: Higher fees will help manage the growing number of visa applications.
“Fees remain competitive compared to countries such as Australia and the UK, so we are confident that New Zealand will continue to be an attractive destination to live, work, study and visit,” said Immigration Minister Erica Stanford.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa is the main temporary work visa in New Zealand. It is designed to ensure that New Zealanders are first in line for employment and makes it easier for employers to hire skilled migrants where there is a real labour or skills shortage.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa currently costs NZ$540 and will cost NZ$480 from 1 October.
The new immigration fee for work visas for accredited employers will cost NZD 1,060 instead of the current NZD 210.
On April 7, 2024, changes were announced to the Accredited Employer Work Visa Scheme, including:
- Introduction of an English language requirement for migrants applying for ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 low-skilled positions.
- A minimum threshold of skills and work experience for most AEWV roles.
- For roles falling within ANZSCO Level 4 and 5, employers will need to contact Work and Revenue before approval is granted to bring in migrants.
- Reduce the maximum continuous stay for most ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 roles from 5 years to 3 years.
“Until now, our immigration system has been heavily subsidized by taxpayers. The changes we are making are shifting the cost to those who benefit from the system. We are ensuring that it becomes self-funding and more efficient,” the Minister said. “The new charges reflect the costs associated with visa processing, assessing and managing high-risk applications and increased compliance costs…[However,] “Prices remain competitive compared to countries like Australia and the UK, so we are confident that New Zealand will continue to be an attractive destination to live, work, study and visit,” Stanford added.
The full list of visa fees and increases can be accessed here
First published: August 12, 2024 | 12:23 pm IS
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