The New Zealand Government has announced that visa fees will increase starting from October 1, 2024.
This information is available on the New Zealand immigration website.
Many types of visas will be affected because the government wants to make sure the fees cover the actual costs of processing the visas.
What they said
Erica Stanford, New Zealand’s minister of immigration, said these changes will make the immigration system more sustainable. The costs will shift from New Zealand taxpayers to the people applying for visas.
“Until now, our immigration system has been heavily subsidised by taxpayers. The changes we’re making are shifting the cost to those benefitting from the system. We’re ensuring it is self-funding and more efficient,” the Minister said.
“The new charges reflect the costs associated with visa processing, assessing, and managing more high-risk applications, and increased compliance costs… [However,] the charges remain competitive in comparison to countries like Australia and the United Kingdom so we are confident New Zealand will continue to be an attractive destination to live, work, study, and visit.”
Detailed visa fee changes
Skilled residence: Fees will rise from NZD 2,410 to NZD 2,880 for Band A, NZD 3,570 for Band B, and NZD 6,450 for Band C. This means increases of NZD 470, NZD 1,160, and NZD 2,160 respectively.
Entrepreneur residence category: Fees will rise from NZD 3,150 to NZD 3,570 for Band A, NZD 5,610 for Band B, and NZD 11,320 for Band C. This means increases of NZD 420, NZD 2,460, and NZD 8,170 respectively.
Active investor plus Category: Fees will rise from NZD 3,150 to NZD 15,400 for Band A, NZD 6,190 for Band B, and NZD 12,070 for Band C. This means big increases of NZD 12,250, NZD 3,040, and NZD 8,920 respectively.
Residence from Work Category: Fees will rise from NZD 1,550 to NZD 3,570 for Band A. This is an increase of NZD 2,020.
Family category: Fees will change from NZD 1,550 to NZD 3,420 for Band A, NZD 1,390 for Band B, and NZD 1,940 for Band C. This reflects increases of NZD 1,870 for Band A, a decrease of NZD 160 for Band B, and an increase of NZD 390 for Band C.
Dependent Child: Fees will increase from NZD 1,550 to NZD 3,230 for Band A, NZD 1,360 for Band B, and NZD 1,830 for Band C. This means an increase of NZD 1,680, a decrease of NZD 190, and an increase of NZD 280 respectively.
Parent retirement category: Fees will rise from NZD 1,550 to NZD 3,420 for Band A, NZD 5,140 for Band B, and NZD 9,430 for Band C. This means increases of NZD 1,870, NZD 3,590, and NZD 7,880 respectively.
Pacific access category: Fees will change from NZD $890 to NZD $1,300 for Band A and from NZD $870 to NZD $1,280 for Band B.
Employees of relocating business category: Fees will change from NZD 3,150 to NZD 3,570 for Band A, NZD 1,390 for Band B, and NZD 1,940 for Band C. This means reductions of NZD 1,760 and NZD 1,210 for Bands B and C respectively, and an increase of NZD 420 for Band A.
Any other residence: Fees will vary based on the specific category, with changes to NZD 1,390 for Band B and NZD 1,940 for Band C.
Click here for details or more information.