Starting in October 2024, traveling to New Zealand will become more expensive as the government significantly increases visa fees. These changes, which take effect on October 1, 2024, will impact nearly all visa categories. However, the New Zealand government will continue to offer subsidized fees for visa applicants from Pacific countries, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to supporting their neighboring nations.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized that the new charges remain competitive compared to similar costs in countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, suggesting that New Zealand will remain an attractive destination for living, working, studying, and visiting.
Increased Costs for Student and Post-Study Visas
The cost of a student visa will rise from $300 to $485, while the fee for a post-study work visa will decrease from $490 to $320. However, the Immigration Levy for student visas will increase from $95 to $265, and for post-study work visas, it will see a significant rise from $210 to $1350.
Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), a key temporary work visa in New Zealand, will also experience changes. While the visa fee will be reduced from $540 to $480, the new Immigration Levy for this visa will increase dramatically to $1,060 from the current $210.
Revised Requirements for the AEWV
In addition to fee adjustments, the AEWV scheme has seen further updates implemented on April 7th. These include the introduction of an English language requirement for migrants applying for low-skilled roles classified under ANZSCO levels 4 and 5. A minimum skills and work experience threshold will be imposed for most AEWV roles.
To prioritize local workers and ensure that hiring migrants is truly necessary, employers will now need to engage with Work and Income, New Zealand’s welfare agency, before they can be granted approval to hire migrants for roles at ANZSCO levels 4 and 5. The maximum continuous stay for most roles at these levels will also be reduced from five years to three years.
These updates reflect the government’s commitment to regulating the employment of migrant workers and ensuring that local labor needs are met effectively.
