New Zealand Visa Fees to increase by 100%. Apply before October 2024!

Highlights: New Zealand increases the visa fees by 100%

• New Zealand has announced several changes to its visa regime from October 1, 2024.
• New Zealand's visa fees are higher than Australia or the United Kingdom.
• The visa fees for the AEWV and the post-study work visa will decrease.
• New Zealand executed these changes to prioritize jobs while allowing employers to hire skilled migrants where genuine labor shortages exist.

 

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Surcharge in New Zealand Visa fees

New Zealand announced a number of changes to its visa regime aimed at aligning charges with the actual cost of visa processing. The changes will be applicable from October 1, 2024.

 

The first increase that was noticed was in Student visa fees. Applicants from regions from outside Pacific Ocean and other specific region will see the student visa fee rise from NZD 300 to NZD 485.

 

In addition, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which is the New Zealand temporary work visa, will also experience changes.

 

Here are visa fee changes that will be implemented from October 2024:

Type of Visa	Current Visa Fee	New visa fee
Post Study work visa	NZD 490	NZD 320
Post-study work visa levy	NZD 210	NZD 1350
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)	NZD 540	NZD 480
AEWV levy	NZD 210	NZD 1060
New Zealand Student Visa	NZD 300	NZD 485
Student visa levy	NZD 95	NZD 265

 

Reason to execute this new change

These changes aim to ensure New Zealanders prioritize and allow employers to hire skilled foreign workers to address labor shortages.

 

The New Zealand government has also announced other changes to AEWV schemes, including new requirements for the employment of migrant workers.

 

A major change will be introduced for migrants with English language proficiency who is applying for roles that have low skill required and classified under Australian and New Zealand Occupation role in levels 4 and 5. A minimum skill and work experience requirements will be applied for most AEWV roles.

 

For jobs in level 4 and 5 of ANZSCO, employers would need to engage with work and income and get granted approval to hire migrants. This step also ensures that the local workers are given priority and that hiring migrants is truly necessary. Other than that, the maximum stay for most of the roles at these levels is reduced from five years to three years.

 

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