Starting October 1, visa fees for migrant categories in New Zealand will increase, with Pacific countries largely avoiding the steep rise.
The national campaign aimed to make the visa processing system largely user-pays to recoup a heavy taxpayer subsidy.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced the move would free up over $563 million over the next four years.
Migrants applying for skilled residence will currently be charged $6450, up from $4290. while partners applying for residency will see their fees climb to $5360 up from $2750.
Student visas will double from $375 to $750, and post-study work visas will increase from $700 to $1670.
Applicants from Pacific countries will continue to be subsidized, citing New Zealand’s commitment to supporting its Pacific neighbours.
The new charges reflect the increased cost of assessing high-risk applications, migrant exploitation, and IT upgrade costs. Stanford expects that running costs will be reduced over time and efficiencies will improve.
The charges remain competitive compared to countries like Australia and the United Kingdom. Green Party immigration spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March accused the government of burdening migrant workers with higher fees to fund tax cuts and urged the agency to avoid reliance on volatile visa volumes and global economic conditions.
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