New Zealand announces significant visa fee increases from October; student visas to get costlier too
New Zealand government has announced significant visa fee increases starting 1 October 2024, impacting nearly all visa categories. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said that the changes are intended to create a more sustainable immigration system by shifting the financial burden from taxpayers to visa applicants.
According to a report by ICEF Monitor, the adjustments are expected to reduce public funding requirements by more than NZ$563 million (US$338 million) over the next four years.
Minister Stanford emphasized that the current immigration system has been heavily subsidized by taxpayers. “The changes we’re making are shifting the cost to those benefitting from the system. We’re ensuring it is self-funding and more efficient," she said.
While the increased fees will cover the costs of visa processing and managing higher-risk applications, the Minister noted that New Zealand's visa charges remain competitive compared to those of Australia and the United Kingdom, keeping the country an attractive destination for students, workers, and tourists.
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Impact on Student Visas
Among the various visa categories, student visa fees will see a substantial hike, doubling from the current NZ$375 to NZ$750.
This adjustment follows a similar move by Australia, which recently doubled its student visa application fees to AUD$1,600. Despite the increase, New Zealand's student visa fees will still be significantly lower than Australia's, costing just over 40% of an
