TTU: Starting October 1, 2024, there will be a raise in New Zealand student visa fees and charges will levy across most categories. Student visa fees will increase significantly, while post-study work visa fees will decrease. The Accredited Employer Work Visa will see a slight fee reduction but a higher levy. New policies will focus on prioritizing local workers and regulating migrant employment.
New Zealand student visa fees
The New Zealand Government will increase visa fees and levies beginning October 1, 2024. Affecting nearly all visa categories to better align with the costs of processing applications. Despite these changes, subsidized fees for Pacific country applicants will continue.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford noted that New Zealand’s visa fees will remain competitive compared to countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, even with the new charges.
A key change is the rise in student visa fees. For applicants from regions classified as Band C, the student visa fee will increase from NZD 300 to NZD 485. The post-study work visa fee will decrease from NZD 490 to NZD 320. The immigration levy for these visas will rise significantly. The student visa levy will go up from NZD 95 to NZD 265, and the post-study work visa levy will increase from NZD 210 to NZD 1350.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) will also be adjusted. The AEWV fee will drop slightly from NZD 540 to NZD 480, but the immigration levy will rise from NZD 210 to NZD 1060. This visa ensures that New Zealanders are prioritized for jobs while allowing employers to hire skilled migrants when needed.
In addition to fee changes, new requirements will be added to the AEWV scheme. Includes an English language requirement for migrants applying for low-skilled roles classified under ANZSCO levels 4 and 5. And a minimum skill and work experience threshold for most AEWV roles. Employers will need to consult with Work and Income before hiring migrants for ANZSCO levels 4 and 5 roles to ensure that local workers are prioritized. The maximum continuous stay for most roles at these levels will also be reduced from five years to three years.
