New Zealand (Commonwealth Union)_ Effective October 1, 2023, the New Zealand government has announced a significant increase in visa fees across various categories, impacting a wide array of applicants from across the world. Accordingly, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford revealed that this adjustment aims to foster a more sustainable immigration system by transferring the financial burden from taxpayers to those seeking visas.
Also read: Apply now: 1,000 Work and Holiday Visas await Indians!
Reason behind the fee hike
Minister Stanford emphasized that the changes are designed to create a self-funding immigration system. “We’re ensuring the system is self-funding and more efficient,” she stated, highlighting that the new fees are expected to alleviate public funding requirements by over NZ$563 million (£338 million) within the next four years. By shifting costs to visa applicants, the government aims to ensure that those who benefit from the system contribute to its maintenance.
Also read: Apply now: Grab your Google Internship before it’s too late!
Breakdown of fee changes
The increase in fees varies significantly across different visa categories. For student visa applicants, the fee has surged from NZ$300 to NZ$485, a remarkable rise that underscores the growing costs associated with education in New Zealand. Similarly, tourists will experience a considerable hike, with visitor visa fees doubling from NZ$190 to NZ$300.
A closer look at the adjustments:
- Skilled Residence Visa: From NZ$2,480 to NZ$2,880
- Entrepreneur Residence Category: From NZ$3,710 to NZ$11,320
- Active Investor Plus Category: From NZ$4,630 to NZ$12,070
- Family Category: From NZ$2,060 to NZ$1,940
- Dependent Child Visa: From NZ$2,060 to NZ$1,830
- Parent Retirement Category: From NZ$3,710 to NZ$9,430
- Visitor Visa: From NZ$190 to NZ$300
- Student Visa: From NZ$300 to NZ$485
- Post-study Work Visa: From NZ$490 to NZ$320
- Work Visa – Partner: From NZ$650 to NZ$570
- Working Holiday Scheme: From NZ$210 to NZ$215
- Accredited Employer Work Visa: From NZ$540 to NZ$480
Impact on Indian visa applicants
New Zealand has become an increasingly popular destination for people seeking educational and professional opportunities. According to Education New Zealand (ENZ), international student enrollments saw a significant increase in 2023, with 69,000 more students compared to the previous year. Accordingly, India ranked second after China as a source of international students, accounting for 17% of enrollments. Moreover, the trend is reflected in the rising number of work and tourist visa applications from across the world. In 2023 alone, New Zealand approved 115,008 visas for Indian nationals, up from 83,583 in 2019. Despite this upward trend, Indian applicants encounter a rejection rate of 28%, which is notably high compared to other nationalities, with only Pakistan experiencing a higher denial rate of 71%.
The bigger picture
The New Zealand government’s decision to hike visa fees is not just about cost adjustments as it also reflects a broader strategy to manage immigration more effectively while ensuring that those who benefit from the system contribute their fair share. Minister Stanford asserted that New Zealand’s visa fees are ambitious when compared to countries like Australia and the United Kingdom. As the new fee structure takes effect, prospective visa applicants will need to adjust their financial plans. While the increase poses challenges, it is also an opportunity for the New Zealand government to create a more robust immigration framework.
As New Zealand continues to attract students and professionals from around the globe, the impact of these changes will be closely monitored by stakeholders in New Zealand and other countries. Furthermore, the hike in visa fees signals a significant shift in New Zealand’s immigration policy, aiming for sustainability while potentially affecting the influx of international applicants, particularly from India. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this will impact the aspirations of many who dream of building their futures in New Zealand.
