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New Zealand visa fee increase: The New Zealand Government has implemented significant increases in visa fees across various categories including visitor, work and student visas. With effect from October 1, 2024,
The purpose of this change is to shift the financial burden from taxpayers to visa applicants, thereby creating a more sustainable immigration system.
Fee Increase Overview
According to Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, the decision to increase fees is part of a broader initiative to keep the immigration system viable.
The increased fees will not only cover visa processing costs but will also address high-risk applications. The adjustment is estimated to save taxpayers more than NZ$563 million (£338 million) over the next four years.
Major changes in visa fees
New Zealand will implement a substantial increase in visa fees across various categories from October 1, 2024. These adjustments are intended to increase the stability of the immigration system by affecting skilled residence, student, visitor, and family visas.
Below is a comparison of the old and new rates for each category;
| visa category | old rate(NZ$) | New Rate (New Zealand Dollar) |
|---|---|---|
| skilled residence visa | 2,480 | 2,880 |
| Entrepreneur Residence Category | 3,710 | 11,320 |
| Active Investor Plus Category | 4,630 | 12,070 |
| family category | 2,060 | 1,940 |
| dependent child visa | 2,060 | 1,830 |
| parent retirement category | 3,710 | 9,430 |
| visitor visa | 190 | 300 |
| student visa | 300 | 485 |
| work visa after study | 490 | 320 |
| Work Visa – Partner | 650 | 570 |
| working holiday scheme | 210 | 215 |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | 540 | 480 |
Exception: Some visa categories have seen fee reductions.
- Dependent Child Visa (reduced from NZ$2,060 to NZ$1,830)
- Post-Study Work Visa (reduced from NZ$490 to NZ$320)
- Work Visa – Partner (reduced from NZ$650 to NZ$570)
competitive landscape
Despite the increase, New Zealand has kept visa fees competitive compared to countries such as Australia and Britain, according to Immigration Minister Erica Stanford.
Higher International Visitor Fee (IVL)
In addition to increased visa fees, travelers will face higher International Visitor Protection and Tourism Fees (IVL). The non-refundable fee currently set at NZD 35 will increase to NZD 100 for each eligible person.
This fee is mandatory for most applicants wishing to obtain a visa or New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for entry into the country.
Impact on Indian travelers
This is particularly relevant for Indian travellers, who represent a significant portion of New Zealand's student and visitor population (17% of students and the second largest source of visa applications overall in 2023).
Increase in visa approval for Indian citizens
In 2023, New Zealand approved 115,008 visas for Indian citizens, a significant increase from 83,583 in 2019 before the pandemic. However, the rejection rate for Indian applicants is 28%, the second highest after Pakistan's 71%.