From 1 October 2024, New Zealand will introduce increased visa charges, aiming to cover the actual costs of processing visas and to ensure a more self-sustaining immigration system. These adjustments are designed to reflect the true benefits that individuals gain from using immigration services. Immigration plays a key role in New Zealand’s economy by connecting families, bringing in vital skills, and upholding international commitments. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect those who benefit to share the financial burden.
In terms of the changes, visa charges will increase across the board. For example, the cost of a Skilled Residence visa will rise from $4,290 to $6,450. The Entrepreneur Residence visa will see a significant jump from $6,860 to $14,890. These new fees are intended to better align with the actual expenses involved in processing applications and maintaining the integrity of the immigration system.
New Zealand remains committed to its Pacific neighbors by continuing to offer subsidized visa fees for applicants from these countries. This ongoing support reflects the country’s dedication to maintaining strong ties within the Pacific region.
In addition to visa charges, people using the immigration system will now be responsible for funding 80 percent of the costs associated with English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs in schools. The government will cover the remaining 20 percent, ensuring that newcomers have access to essential language education.
| Type of Application | Current Rates Band A New Zealand (GST incl) | Current Rates Band B Pacific | Current Rates Band C Rest of World | Current Immigration Levy | Total (Band A) | New Rates from 1 October 2024 Band A New Zealand (GST incl) | New Rates from 1 October 2024 Band B Pacific | New Rates from 1 October 2024 Band C Rest of World | New Immigration Levy | New Total (Band A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residence class visa | ||||||||||
| Skilled Residence | $1,880 | $1,610 | $2,480 | $2,410 | $4,290 | $2,880 | $1,860 | $2,880 | $3,570 | $6,450 |
| Entrepreneur Residence Category | $3,710 | $3,710 | $3,710 | $3,150 | $6,860 | $11,320 | $5,610 | $11,320 | $3,570 | $14,890 |
| Active Investor Plus Category | $4,750 | $4,630 | $4,630 | $3,150 | $7,900 | $12,070 | $6,190 | $12,070 | $15,400 | $27,470 |
| Residence from Work Category | $1,090 | – | – | $3,150 | $4,240 | $2,920 | – | – | $3,570 | $6,490 |
| Family Category | $1,200 | $1,200 | $2,060 | $1,550 | $2,750 | $1,940 | $1,390 | $1,940 | $3,420 | $5,360 |
| Dependent Child | $1,200 | $1,200 | $2,060 | $1,550 | $2,750 | $1,830 | $1,360 | $1,830 | $1,400 | $3,230 |
| Parent Retirement Category | $3,710 | $3,710 | $3,710 | $1,550 | $5,260 | $9,430 | $5,140 | $9,430 | $3,420 | $12,850 |
| Samoan Quota Scheme | $820 | $800 | – | – | $820 | $820 | $800 | – | – | $820 |
| Pacific Access Category | $890 | $870 | – | $410 | $1,300 | $1,300 | $1,280 | – | – | $1,300 |
| Employees of Relocating Business Category | $1,200 | $1,200 | $2,060 | $3,150 | $4,350 | $1,940 | $1,390 | $1,940 | $3,570 | $5,510 |
| Pitcairn Islanders | $1,200 | $1,200 | $2,060 | $410 | $1,610 | $1,940 | $1,390 | $1,940 | – | $1,940 |
| Any other residence category | $1,200 | $1,200 | $2,060 | Varies | Varies | $1,940 | $1,390 | $1,940 | Varies | Varies |
| Permanent Resident Visa Applications | ||||||||||
| Permanent Resident Visa (by a person holding resident visa or who previously held a resident visa) | $240 | $240 | $240 | – | $240 | $315 | $260 | $315 | – | $315 |
| A grant of second or subsequent resident visa | $240 | $240 | $240 | – | $240 | $275 | $250 | $275 | – | $275 |
| A variation of travel conditions on a resident visa | $240 | $240 | $240 | – | $240 | $320 | $260 | $320 | – | $320 |
| Expressions of Interest & Registration | ||||||||||
| Expressions of Interest under Parent Category (Hard Copy) | $550 | $550 | $550 | – | $550 | $575 | $555 | $575 | – | $575 |
| Expressions of Interest under Parent Category (Online) | $430 | $430 | $430 | – | $430 | $450 | $435 | $450 | – | $450 |
| Registration under Pacific Access Category – First year’s registration | $85 | $85 | $85 | – | $85 | $89 | $86 | $89 | – | $89 |
| Registration under Pacific Access Category – Second and subsequent year’s registration | $35 | $35 | $35 | – | $35 | $89 | $49 | $89 | – | $89 |
| Temporary Visa | ||||||||||
| Visitor visa | $190 | $150 | $190 | $21 | $211 | $300 | $175 | $300 | $41 | $341 |
| Temporary Retirement Category visitor visa | $3,710 | $3,710 | $3,710 | $80 | $3,790 | $7,750 | $4,720 | $7,750 | $41 | $7,791 |
| Group visitor visa – Approved Destination Status (China) – offshore only* | – | – | $35 | $55 | $90 | – | – | $55 | $85 | $140 |
| Other group visitor visa | $55 | $55 | $55 | $55 | $110 | $86 | $63 | $86 | $85 | $171 |
| Student visa | $280 | $220 | $300 | $95 | $375 | $485 | $270 | $485 | $265 | $750 |
| Post-study work visa | $490 | $410 | $490 | $210 | $700 | $320 | $270 | $320 | $1,350 | $1,670 |
| Work Visa – Partner | $650 | $650 | $650 | $210 | $860 | $570 | $570 | $570 | $1,060 | $1,630 |
| Work to Residence | $650 | $650 | $650 | $210 | $860 | $570 | $570 | $570 | $1,060 | $1,630 |
| Entrepreneur Work Visa | $3,710 | $3,140 | $3,710 | $210 | $3,920 | $11,320 | $5,190 | $11,320 | $1,060 | $12,380 |
| Working holiday scheme | $210 | – | $210 | $210 | $420 | $215 | – | $215 | $455 | $670 |
| Working holidaymaker extension | $210 | – | $210 | $210 | $420 | $245 | – | $245 | $455 | $700 |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | $540 | $540 | $540 | $210 | $750 | $480 | $480 | $480 | $1,060 | $1,540 |
| Work visa – other | $490 | $410 | $490 | $210 | $700 | $295 | $250 | $295 | $1,060 | $1,355 |
| Reconsideration of decision to decline temporary visa | $250 | – | – | – | $250 | $220 | – | – | – | $220 |
| Miscellaneous | ||||||||||
| Request for special direction | $650 | – | – | – | $650 | $950 | – | – | – | $950 |
| Application for visa under section 61 | $650 | – | – | – | $650 | $950 | – | – | – | $950 |
| Transfer of a visa to a new passport | $220 | – | $220 | – | $220 | $300 | – | $300 | – | $300 |
| Application for a visa by a person unlawfully in New Zealand | $650 | – | – | – | $650 | $950 | – | – | – | $950 |
| Electronic Travel Authority | $10 | – | $10 | – | $10 | $22 | – | $22 | – | $22 |
| Manual Processing Fee for ETA | $60 | – | $60 | – | $60 | $82 | – | $82 | – | $82 |
