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New Zealand Visa Charges Update: What You Need to Know for 2024

Newzealand Visa Charges Increase

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On 1 October 2024, New Zealand is set to implement new visa charges, reflecting a shift in how the costs of immigration services are covered. This change is part of a broader strategy to ensure that those benefiting from New Zealand’s immigration system contribute appropriately to its maintenance and development.

Why Are Visa Charges Increasing?

The adjustment to visa charges is driven by the need to recover the actual costs of processing visas. Immigration plays a critical role in New Zealand, contributing to the economy, enhancing the workforce, and supporting community development. As such, it is deemed fair that users of the immigration system cover the associated costs.

Key Benefits of Immigration in New Zealand

     

      • Economic Contributions: Immigration is a significant driver of economic growth, bringing in essential skills, capital investment, and innovative business practices.

      • Community Support: The immigration system helps reunite families and fosters diverse, inclusive communities across the country.

      • International Commitments: New Zealand’s immigration policies align with its international obligations, supporting humanitarian efforts and global cooperation.

      • Border Integrity: A well-funded visa system ensures the continued security and integrity of New Zealand’s borders.

    Detailed Visa Charges

    Starting from 1 October 2024, the new visa charges will be carefully calibrated to reflect the true cost of processing applications. While specific figures have not yet been disclosed, these charges will ensure that the immigration system remains sustainable and efficient.

    Special Considerations for Pacific Countries

    New Zealand has reaffirmed its commitment to Pacific countries by continuing to offer subsidised visa fees for applicants from this region. This subsidy reflects the close ties and ongoing support between New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours.

    Changes in ESOL Programme Funding

    Another significant change is the funding structure for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) programs in schools. Moving forward, 80% of the costs for ESOL programs will be funded by those using the immigration system. The remaining 20% will continue to be covered by the New Zealand Government, ensuring ongoing support for students requiring English language assistance.

    Table of changes to fee and levy rate

     

         

    Current rates

     

    New rates from 1 October 2024 (NZD)

    Type of application

    Band A New Zealand (GST incl)

    Band B

    Pacific

    Band C Rest of World

    Current Immigration Levy

    Total

    (Band A)*

    Band A New Zealand (GST incl)

    Band B

    Pacific

    Band C Rest of World

    New Immigration Levy

    Total

    (Band A)*

    Residence class visa

    Skilled Residence

    1,880

    1,610

    2,480

        2,410

    4,290

    2,880

    1,860

    2,880

    3,570

    6,450

    Entrepreneur Residence Category

     

    3,710

     

    3,710

     

    3,710

     

         3,150

     

    6,860

     

    11,320

     

     5,610

     

     1,320

     

    3,570

     

     14,890

    Active Investor Plus Category

    4,750

    4,630

    4,630

        3,150

    7,900

    12,070

    6,190

    12,070

    15,400

    27,470

    Residence from Work Category

    1,090

        3,150

    4,240

    2,920

    3,570

    6,490

    Family Category

    1,200

    1,200

    2,060

          1,550

    2,750

    1,940

    1,390

    1,940

    3,420

    5,360

    Dependent Child

    1,200

    1,200

    2,060

        1,550

    2,750

    1,830

    1,360

    1,830

    1,400

    3,230

    Parent Retirement Category

     

    3,710

     

    3,710

     

    3,710

     

         1,550

     

    5,260

     

    9,430

     

    5,140

     

    9,430

     

    3,420

     

     12,850

    Samoan Quota Scheme

    820

    800

    820

    820

    800

    820

    Pacific Access Category

    890

    870

    410

    1,300

    1,300

    1,280

    1,300

    Employees of Relocating Business Category

     

    1,200

     

    1,200

     

    2,060

     

         3,150

     

    4,350

     

    1,940

     

     1,390

     

    1,940

     

    3,570

     

    5,510

    Pitcairn Islanders

    1,200

    1,200

    2,060

    410

    1,610

    1,940

    1,390

    1,940

            –

    1,940

    Any other residence category

     

    1,200

     

    1,200

     

    2,060

     

        Varies

     

    Varies

     

    1,940

     

     1,390

     

       1,940

     

    Varies

     

    Varies

     

         

    Current rates

     

    New rates from 1 October 2024 (NZD)

    Type of application

    Band A New Zealand (GST incl)

    Band B

    Pacific

    Band C Rest of World

    Current Immigration Levy

    Total

    (Band A)*

    Band A New Zealand (GST incl)

    Band B

    Pacific

    Band C Rest of World

    New Immigration Levy

    Total

    (Band A)*

    Applications for:

    Permanent Resident Visa (by a person holding resident visa or who previously held a resident visa)

     

    240

     

    240

     

    240

     

     

    240

     

    315

     

    260

     

    315

     

     

    315

    A grant of second or subsequent resident visa

     

    240

     

    240

     

    240

     

     

    240

     

    275

     

    250

     

    275

     

     

    275

    A variation of travel

    conditions on a resident visa

     

    240

     

    240

     

    240

     

     

    240

     

    320

     

    260

     

    320

     

     

    320

    Expressions of Interest under Parent Category

    Hard Copy

    550

    550

    550

    550

    575

    555

    575

    575

    Online

    430

    430

    430

    430

    450

    435

    450

    450

    Registration under Pacific Access Category

    First year’s registration

    85

    85

    85

    85

    89

    86

    89

    89

    Second and subsequent year’s registration

     

    35

     

    35

     

    35

     

     

    35

     

    89

     

    49

     

    89

     

     

    89

    Temporary visa

    Visitor visa

    190

    150

    190

    21

    211

    300

    175

    300

    41

    341

    Temporary Retirement Category visitor visa

     

    3,710

     

    3,710

     

    3,710

     

    80

     

    3,790

     

      7,750

     

    4,720

     

       7,750

     

    41

     

    7,791

    Group visitor visa – Approved Destination Status (China) – offshore only*

    35

    55

    90

    55

    85

    140

    Other group visitor visa

    55

    55

    55

    55

    110

      86

    63

    86

    85

    171

    Fee-paying student visa

    280

    220

    300

    95

    375

    485

    270

    485

    265

    750

    Post-study work visa

    490

    410

    490

    210

    700

    320

    270

    320

    1,350

    1,670

     

         

    Current rates

     

    New rates from 1 October 2024 (NZD)

    Type of application

    Band A New Zealand (GST incl)

    Band B

    Pacific

    Band C Rest of World

    Current Immigration Levy

    Total

    (Band A)*

    Band A New Zealand (GST incl)

    Band B

    Pacific

    Band C Rest of World

    New Immigration Levy

    Total

    (Band A)*

    Work Visa – Partner

    650

    650

    650

    210

    860

    570

    570

    570

    1,060

    1,630

    Work to Residence

    650

    650

    650

    210

    860

    570

    570

    570

    1,060

    1,630

    Entrepreneur Work Visa

    3,710

    3,140

    3,710

    210

    3,920

    11,320

    5,190

    11,320

    1,060

    12,380

    Working holiday scheme

    210

    210

    210

    420

    215

    215

    455

    670

    Working holidaymaker extension

     

    210

     

     

    210

     

    210

     

    420

     

    245

     

     

    245

     

    455

     

    700

    Accredited Employer Work Visa

     

    540

     

    540

     

    540

     

    210

     

    750

     

    480

     

    480

     

    480

     

    1,060

     

    1,540

    Work visa – other

    490

    410

    490

    210

    700

    295

    250

    295

    1,060

    1,355

    Reconsideration of decision

    to decline temporary visa

     

    250

     

     

     

     

    250

     

    220

     

     

     

     

    220

    Limited visa

    Limited visa – student

    280

    220

    300

    95

    375

    485

    270

    485

    265

    750

    Limited visa

    – Recognised Seasonal Employer

     

    310

     

    270

     

    310

     

    15

     

    325

     

    325

     

    285

     

    325

     

     

    325

    Limited visa – other

    210

    170

    210

    80

    290

    325

    195

    325

    80

    405

    Transit visa

    Transit visa

    180

    180

    180

    180

    235

    195

    235

    235

    Transit visa – group Chinese nationals (per person)

     

    110

     

     

    110

     

     

     

    145

     

     

    145

     

     

    145

    New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)

    Request for traveller NZeTA made via INZ website

     

    23

     

    23

     

    23

     

     

    23

     

    23

     

    23

     

    23

     

     

    23

    Request for traveller NZeTA made via mobile app

     

    17

     

    17

     

    17

     

     

    17

     

    17

     

    17

     

    17

     

     

    17

     

         

    Current rates

     

    New rates from 1 October 2024 (NZD)

    Type of application

    Band A New Zealand (GST incl)

    Band B

    Pacific

    Band C Rest of World

    Current Immigration Levy

    Total

    (Band A)*

    Band A New Zealand (GST incl)

    Band B

    Pacific

    Band C Rest of World

    New Immigration Levy

    Total

    (Band A)*

    Request for transit NZeTA made via INZ website

     

    23

     

    23

     

    23

     

     

    23

     

    23

     

    23

     

    23

     

     

    23

    Request for transit NZeTA made via mobile app

     

    17

     

    17

     

    17

     

     

    17

     

    17

     

    17

     

    17

     

     

    17

    Request for crew NZeTA

    17

    17

    17

    17

    17

    17

    17

    17

    Other matters – applications or requests by employers and organisations

    Approval in principle to recruit foreign crew of fishing vessels

    6,310

    6,310

    6,610

    6,610

    Request for supplementary seasonal employment approval in principle

    320

    320

    335

    335

    Recognised Seasonal Employer status

     

    1,080

     

     

     

     

    1,080

     

    1,040

     

     

     

     

    1,040

    Agreement to recruit under Recognised Seasonal Employer instructions

    290

    290

    280

    280

    Entertainment Industry accreditation (under Specific Purpose or Events instructions)

    First year’s registration

    2,200

    2,200

    2,310

    2,310

    Second and subsequent year’s registration

     

    620

     

     

     

     

    620

     

    650

     

     

     

     

    650

    Employer accreditation (under Accredited Employer immigration instructions)

    Employer accreditation (standard)

     

    740

     

     

     

     

    740

     

    775

     

     

     

     

    775

    Employer accreditation (upgrade from standard to high volume)

    480

    480

    505

    505

     

         

    Current rates

     

    New rates from 1 October 2024 (NZD)

    Type of application

    Band A New Zealand (GST incl)

    Band B

    Pacific

    Band C Rest of World

    Current Immigration Levy

    Total

    (Band A)*

    Band A New Zealand (GST incl)

    Band B

    Pacific

    Band C Rest of World

    New Immigration Levy

    Total

    (Band A)*

    Employer accreditation (high volume)

     

    1,220

     

     

     

     

    1,220

     

    1,280

     

     

     

     

    1,280

    Employer accreditation (triangular employment)

     

    3,870

     

     

     

     

    3,870

     

    4,060

     

     

     

     

    4,060

    Reconsideration of employer accreditation application

     

    240

     

     

     

     

    240

     

    250

     

     

     

     

    250

    Job Check (under Accredited Employer immigration instructions)

    610

    610

    735

    735

    Reconsideration of Job Check

    240

    240

    250

    250

    Other matters – general

    Special direction

    250

    250

    250

    250

    260

    255

    260

    260

    Residence class visa granted under section 61

     

    1,080

     

     

     

     

    1,080

     

    1,510

     

     

     

     

    1,510

    Temporary entry class visa granted under section 61

     

    460

     

     

     

     

    460

     

    640

     

     

     

     

    640

    Variation of conditions on a temporary entry class visa

     

    210

     

    210

     

    210

     

     

    210

     

    325

     

    240

     

    325

     

     

    325

    Call-out fee where office is opened outside normal working hours in order to process immigration mafter

     

    360

     

    360

     

    360

     

     

    360

     

    375

     

    365

     

    375

     

     

    375

    Confirmation of immigration status

     

    150

     

    150

     

    150

     

     

    150

     

    225

     

    170

     

    225

     

     

    225

     

         

    Current rates

     

    New rates from 1 October 2024 (NZD)

    Type of application

    Band A New Zealand (GST incl)

    Band B

    Pacific

    Band C Rest of World

    Current Immigration Levy

    Total

    (Band A)*

    Band A New Zealand (GST incl)

    Band B

    Pacific

    Band C Rest of World

    New Immigration Levy

    Total

    (Band A)*

    Transfer fee where visa stamp or label transferred from one passport

    or certificate to another

     

    150

     

    150

     

    150

     

     

    150

     

    225

     

    170

     

    225

     

     

    225

    Endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship

    First endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship

    170

    170

    170

    170

    225

    185

    225

    225

    Second and subsequent endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship

    110

    110

    110

    110

    225

    140

    225

    225

    *except where not available

    Final Thoughts

    The upcoming changes to New Zealand’s visa charges are an essential step in maintaining a fair and effective immigration system. By ensuring that the costs are borne by those who benefit directly from immigration services, New Zealand can continue to support its economic growth, meet international obligations, and nurture diverse communities.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1. Why are the visa charges in New Zealand increasing?

    The visa charges are increasing to better reflect the actual costs involved in processing visa applications. This ensures that the immigration system is sustainable and that those who benefit from the services contribute fairly to the costs.

    2. When will the new visa charges take effect?

    The new visa charges will come into effect on 1 October 2024. It is important for applicants to be aware of these changes when planning their visa applications.

    3. Will all visa categories be affected by the new charges?

    Yes, the changes will affect most visa categories. However, specific details on how much the fees will increase have not yet been disclosed. Certain visa categories, such as Pacific visas, will continue to receive subsidised fees.

    4. What is the Government’s role in ESOL program funding under the new changes?

    Under the new changes, individuals using the immigration system will fund 80% of the costs for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) programs. The New Zealand Government will continue to cover the remaining 20%, ensuring ongoing support for these essential programs.

    5. How does the increase in visa charges benefit New Zealand?

    The increase in visa charges helps to ensure that New Zealand’s immigration system remains well-funded and effective. It supports the country’s economic growth, community development, and international commitments while maintaining the security and integrity of its borders.

    6. Are there any special considerations for Pacific visa applicants?

    Yes, New Zealand will continue to offer subsidised fees for visa applicants from Pacific countries. This reflects the country’s ongoing commitment to supporting its Pacific neighbours.

    7. Where can I find more information about the new visa charges?

    For detailed information about the new visa charges, it is recommended to visit the official New Zealand Immigration website or contact the immigration office directly.

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