- From October 1, 2024, New Zealand will increase visa fees and levies across almost all categories. Student visa fees are rising significantly, whereas post-study work visa fees are decreasing. The Accredited Employer Work Visa sees minor fee reduction but a higher levy. New measures will prioritize local workers and regulate migrant employment.
The New Zealand Government has announced a substantial increase in visa fees and levies, set to take effect from October 1, 2024. These adjustments will impact almost all visa categories, as the government aims to align charges with the actual costs of processing visa applications. Despite the fee hike, New Zealand remains committed to supporting its Pacific neighbours by continuing to offer subsidised fees for applicants from Pacific countries.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasised that even with the new charges, New Zealand’s visa fees remain competitive compared to countries like Australia and the United Kingdom.
Among the most notable changes is the increase in student visa fees. Applicants from regions classified as Band C, including much of the world outside of the Pacific and a few other specific regions, will see the student visa fee rise from NZD 300 to NZD 485. The post-study work visa fee, however, will decrease from NZD 490 to NZD 320. This decrease comes alongside a significant increase in the immigration levy associated with these visas. The student visa levy will rise from NZD 95 to NZD 265, while the post-study work visa levy will see a dramatic jump from NZD 210 to NZD 1350.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which is the primary temporary work visa in New Zealand, will also experience changes. The AEWV fee will be reduced slightly from NZD 540 to NZD 480. However, the immigration levy for this visa will increase substantially from NZD 210 to NZD 1060. This visa is crucial for ensuring that New Zealanders are prioritised for jobs while allowing employers to hire skilled migrants where genuine labour shortages exist.
In addition to fee changes, the government has also announced updates to the AEWV scheme. These updates introduce new requirements aimed at further regulating the employment of migrant workers. One of the key changes is the introduction of an English language requirement for migrants applying for low-skilled roles classified under ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) levels 4 and 5. Additionally, a minimum skill and work experience threshold will be implemented for most AEWV roles.
For roles at ANZSCO levels 4 and 5, employers will now need to engage with Work and Income, New Zealand’s welfare agency, before they can be granted approval to hire migrants. This step ensures that local workers are given priority and that hiring migrants is truly necessary. Furthermore, the maximum continuous stay for most roles at these levels will be reduced from five years to three years.
