Immigration NZ has just announced they will be increasing application fees across all visa categories on 1 October 2024. This is part of the wider push to make government departments more financially sustainable and is probably a better reflection of how much it costs to process applications. At least we have a bit of prior warning, unlike the most recent rule changes in April and June this year which were implemented on the same day!
We know that many of you are trying to decide on the best time to apply for extensions to Accredited Employer Work Visas, and there are a number of employees who will be getting close to the required 24 months’ work experience in New Zealand to make a Residence application.
It is possible to submit an Accredited Employer Work Visa extension now, even if the visa will not expire until some time in the future. The application may be held in a queue until closer to visa expiry, but Immigration NZ are actually processing some extensions already.
Please contact us urgently if you want to apply before 30 September 2024 to take advantage of the current lower fees.
Fees will be increasing across all visa types, but we are listing the most common below:
| Visa application type | Current fee | New fee |
| Employment Related Temporary visas | ||
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | $750 | $1540 |
| Job Change | $210 | $325 |
| Partner of a Worker Visa | $700 | $1355 |
| Student Visa | $375 | $750 |
| Visitor Visa | $211 | $341 |
| Residence applications | ||
| Skilled Residence | $4290 | $6450 |
| Residence from Work | $4240 | $6490 |
| Family of NZ Resident/Citizen | ||
| Partnership Temporary Work Visa | $860 | $1630 |
| Family Resident | $2750 | $5360 |
| Dependent Child Resident (child applying alone) | $2750 | $3230 |
There will be smaller changes to Employer Accreditation and Job Checks.