Effective October 1, 2024, New Zealand will implement a significant increase in visa fees and levies, impacting the majority of visa categories. This move aims to ensure that visa application processing costs are accurately reflected in the fees. The government emphasizes its commitment to supporting Pacific nations, maintaining subsidized fees for applicants from these regions. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford highlighted that even with the revised fees, New Zealand’s visa costs remain competitive in comparison to countries like Australia and the United Kingdom.
Among the notable adjustments is the increase in student visa fees. Applicants from Band C regions, encompassing a vast majority of the world excluding the Pacific and specific other areas, will see their student visa fee rise from NZD 300 to NZD 485. Conversely, the post-study work visa fee will experience a decrease from NZD 490 to NZD 320. However, this reduction is offset by a considerable increase in the associated immigration levy. The student visa levy will climb from NZD 95 to NZD 265, while the post-study work visa levy will undergo a dramatic jump from NZD 210 to NZD 1350.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), the primary temporary work visa in New Zealand, will also witness changes. The AEWV fee will see a slight decrease, moving from NZD 540 to NZD 480. However, the immigration levy associated with this visa will experience a substantial increase, rising from NZD 210 to NZD 1060. This visa is pivotal in ensuring that New Zealanders are prioritized for employment while permitting employers to hire skilled migrants in areas experiencing genuine labor shortages.
In addition to fee adjustments, the government has introduced updates to the AEWV scheme, implementing new regulations to effectively manage the employment of migrant workers. A significant alteration involves the introduction of an English language requirement for migrants seeking low-skilled positions categorized under ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) levels 4 and 5. Furthermore, a minimum skill and work experience threshold will be established for most AEWV roles.
