Major Changes in New Zealand Visa Charges

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