New Zealand has announced a 90% increase in student visa fees for Nigerians and citizens from non-Pacific countries, effective October 1, 2024. This update will raise the fee from NZD 395 ($238) to NZD 750 ($452).
Visa applications in New Zealand are categorized into three bands: Band A for residents reapplying, Band B for citizens from Pacific Nations, and Band C for other international applicants, including Nigerians. Previously, Band C student visa applications cost NZD 395, while Band A and Band B fees were NZD 375 and NZD 315, respectively.
The fee increase also affects post-study work visas, which will rise by approximately 139%, from NZD 700 ($422) to NZD 1,670 ($1,006) for Band C applicants. For work visas, Band A fees have increased from NZD 860 to NZD 1,630, and Band B fees have similarly risen to NZD 1,630.
The Entrepreneur Work Visa fee has changed from NZD 3,920 to a new, unspecified amount. Skilled residence visa fees for Band C have also increased by 16%, from NZD 2,480 ($1,494) to NZD 2,880 ($1,735).
The government aims to align visa fees with processing costs. Despite the increases, subsidized fees will remain for applicants from Pacific countries to support regional neighbors. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized that New Zealand’s visa costs will still be competitive compared to Australia and the UK.
Key updates include a fee increase for student visas from NZD 300 to NZD 485 for Band C applicants, a decrease in post-study work visa fees from NZD 490 to NZD 320, but a significant rise in the immigration levy for these visas from NZD 210 to NZD 1,350. The levy for student visas will increase from NZD 95 to NZD 265.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), the primary temporary work visa, will see its fee reduced from NZD 540 to NZD 480, though its immigration levy will rise from NZD 210 to NZD 1,060. New requirements under the AEWV scheme include an English language proficiency requirement for low-skilled roles and new minimum skill and work experience thresholds. Employers must now engage with Work and Income before hiring migrants for certain roles, and the maximum stay for these positions will be reduced from five years to three years.
