Effective October 2024, New Zealand has announced a significant increase in visa fees across various categories, including student, work, and visitor visas. This move is intended to offset the rising costs of visa processing, shifting the financial burden from taxpayers to visa applicants. The most notable hike is for student visas, which have increased from NZD 375 (USD 225) to NZD 750 (USD 451). This substantial increase has raised concerns about its potential impact on New Zealand’s attractiveness as a destination for international students.
While the increase is significant, New Zealand’s visa fees remain competitive compared to other countries like Australia and the United Kingdom. However, the cost adjustment is likely to make trips to New Zealand more expensive, potentially affecting tourism and visitor numbers.
The cost adjustments are expected to generate more than NZD 563 million (USD 338 million) over the next four years. This revenue will help to reduce the reliance on public funding for visa processing and provide more resources to manage the growing number of visa applications.
In addition to the student visa, other visa categories have also seen fee increases. The post-study work visa fee has more than doubled, rising from NZD 699.34 (USD 420) to NZD 1,670 (USD 1,005). Visitor visas will also become more expensive, with the fee increasing from NZD 211 (USD 126) to NZD 341 (USD 205). The Skilled Resident Visa fee will increase from NZD 4,290 (USD 2,581) to NZD 6,450 (USD 3881). Other affected categories include the Family Category Visa, which will see its fee increase from NZD 2,750 (USD 1,654) to NZD 5,360 (USD 3,225), and the Parent Retirement Category, with a fee increase from NZD 5,260 (USD 3,165) to NZD 12,850 (USD 7,733).
New Zealand has experienced a significant surge in international student applicants in recent years, with a whopping 69,000 increase in 2023 compared to the previous year. The largest portion of international students comes from China, accounting for 35 percent of total enrollments. India follows closely with 17 percent, followed by Japan, South Korea, and Thailand with 10, 5, and 4 percent respectively.
It’s important to note that Australia also doubled its student visa fee recently, bringing it to AUD 1,600 (USD 1,062). Despite the increase, New Zealand’s student visa fee remains significantly lower, at around 40 percent of Australia’s. The impact of this fee increase on international student applications remains to be seen, but it’s likely to be a factor for students considering their education options.
