New Zealand Visa Fees to increase by 100%. Apply before October 2024!

Highlights: New Zealand to increase visa fees from October 2024. Apply Now!
 

• The Government of New Zealand has announced changes to the visa programs offered by the country.
• The changes aim to comply with the actual processing cost of visa applications in New Zealand.
• The updated visa fee requirement will be effective from October 01, 2024.
• Applicants from Pacific countries will be offered subsidized visa fees.
   

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Increased visa fees in New Zealand

The New Zealand government has announced an increase in visa fees for several of its visa programs. The increase aims to align the fees with the actual processing cost of visa applications.

Erica Stanford, the immigration minister of New Zealand stated that the new charges are still less as compared to Australia or the UK. Visa applicants from Pacific countries will be offered subsidized visa fees for New Zealand visas.

The table below has the current and the visa fees chargeable after October 01, 2024:

Type of Visa	Current Visa Fee	New visa fee
Post Study work visa	NZD 490	NZD 320
Post-study work visa levy	NZD 210	NZD 1350
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)	NZD 540	NZD 480
AEWV levy	NZD 210	NZD 1060
New Zealand Student Visa	NZD 300	NZD 485
Student visa levy	NZD 95	NZD 265

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Why has New Zealand increased the visa fees?
 

The Government of New Zealand has planned to increase visa fees to promote the recruitment of local workers in the country. This move will also help in hiring skilled professionals to fill genuine labor market gaps.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which is a temporary work visa in New Zealand, will have new requirements to regulate the recruitment of foreign workers. One of the main changes in the requirements includes the introduction of an English language requirement for foreign applicants under Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) levels 4 and 5. AEWV applicants will also have to comply with the minimum skills and work experience requirements.

Employers looking to apply for roles at ANZSCO levels 4 and 5 must participate in New Zealand’s welfare agency, Work and Income. Only then will they receive approval to recruit foreign workers. This move is aimed at prioritizing local workers and hiring skilled professionals when absolutely necessary. The period of consecutive stay allowed for these roles will be decreased from 5 years to 3 years.
 

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