New Zealand Increases Immigration Application Fees Effective October 2024

New Zealand is set to implement higher immigration application fees starting from October 1, 2024. This move aims to create a more sustainable immigration system by reallocating costs from taxpayers to those who benefit from the system. Ultimately, this change is expected to make the immigration system self-funding and more efficient.

The increase in visa fees is anticipated to significantly reduce the burden on public funding. Over the next four years, the new fee structure is estimated to cut public funding requirements by more than NZ$563 million (US$338 million). Despite these increases, New Zealand’s visa fees will remain competitive when compared to countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, ensuring that New Zealand remains an attractive destination for prospective immigrants.

Impact on Student Visas and Employer Work Visas

One of the notable changes will be the doubling of student visa fees, which will increase from NZ$375 to NZ$750. This fee adjustment still places New Zealand’s fees significantly lower than Australia’s current student visa fees, which stand at AUD$1,600. These changes come in response to market dynamics and the need to remain competitive in the global education sector.

For those seeking the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), there is a mixed impact. While the fee for AEWV itself will decrease from NZ$540 to NZ$480, the new immigration levy will surge from NZ$210 to NZ$1,060. This redistribution of costs is part of the broader effort to balance affordability and sustainability within the immigration system.

Commitment to Pacific Neighbours and ESOL Programmes

New Zealand remains committed to supporting visa applicants from Pacific countries by continuing to subsidize their fees. This policy underlines New Zealand’s ongoing dedication to fostering strong relations and providing assistance to its Pacific neighbours. The government’s support extends to education as well; individuals using the immigration system will now fund 80% of the costs associated with English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) programmes in schools, with the government covering the remaining 20%.

These fee changes are backed by recent survey findings, which reveal that visa fee levels are a significant consideration for about half of the prospective students planning to study in New Zealand. The survey highlighted higher price sensitivity in regions such as the Philippines and Bangladesh. Despite this, New Zealand remains a popular study destination, having received 124,000 study visa applications since reopening its borders in August 2022, with an impressive 85% approval rate and an efficient processing time of six weeks on average.