IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The New Zealand government will increase visa and immigration-related filing fees on Nov. 5.

What does the change mean? Employers should plan for the increases, which will be felt most in the work visa categories (increase of 54 percent) and employment accreditation (increase of 20 percent). Visitor visas and miscellaneous categories will increase by 10 percent and applications submitted online will no longer receive a discount.

  • Implementation time frame: Nov. 5.
  • Visas/permits affected: Work visa categories, accredited sponsorship, visitor visas, online visa applications.
  • Business impact: The increase in fees will raise the cost of employing foreign nationals.

Some of the relevant business immigration fees are highlighted in the following chart.

Type of application Current Fee New Fee Comment
  NZ Pacific Rest of World NZ Pacific Rest of World  
Residence class visa – Skilled

Migrant Category

 1,890 1,620 2,505 1,880 1,610 2,480 -1% overall for Business/Skilled residence visas
Residence class visa – Residence from Work Category 970 – – 970 n/a n/a -1% overall for Business/Skilled residence visas
Residence class visa – any other residence category 970 970 1,670 1,070 1,070 1,840 +10% for all other visa categories
Permanent residence visa by person holding residence visa 190 190 190 210 210 210 +10% for all other visa categories
Variation of travel conditions by person holding residence visa 190 190 190 210 210 210 +10% for other immigration matters
Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence visa – Skilled Migrant Category (physical) 680 680 680 680 680 680 -1% overall for Business/Skilled Residence visas
Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence visa – Skilled Migrant Category (electronic) 530 530 530 530 530 530 -1% overall for Business/Skilled Residence visas
Temporary visa – visitor visa 170 135 170 190 150 190 +10% for all other visa categories
Temporary visa – visitor visa (online) 151 116 151 190 150 190 Removal of online discount (hard-copy rate applies)
Temporary visa – student visa 260 205 280 250 200 270 -6.5% for student visa categories
Temporary visa – student visa (online) 233 178 253 250 200 270 Removal of online discount (hard-copy rate applies)
Temporary visa application – work visa under Talent (arts, culture, sports), Talent (employer accreditation), Talent (Long-term Skills Shortage List) 375 375 375 580 580 580 +54% for work visa categories
Temporary visa application – work visa under Talent (arts, culture, sports), Talent (employer accreditation), Talent (Long-term Skills Shortage List) (online) 280 240 280 580 580 580 +54% for work visa categories, removal of online discount
Temporary visa – work visa under any other category of immigration instruction 280 240 280 440 370 440 +54% for work visa categories
Variation of conditions of temporary entry class visas 170 170 170 190 190 190 +10% for other immigration matters
Request by employer for approval in principle to recruit overseas worker 400 – – 440 n/a n/a +10% for other immigration matters
Employer accreditation (under talent work immigration instructions)- initial 1,775 – – 2,130 n/a n/a +20% for Talent employer accreditation
Employer accreditation (under talent work immigration instructions)- subsequent 500 – – 600 n/a n/a +20% for Talent employer accreditation
Transfer of visa stamp from old passport to new passport 110 110 110 130 130 130 +10% for all other immigration matters

A full schedule of fees is available here.

Analysis & Comments: Companies should factor the fee increases into their budgets and consider filing affected applications before the rate hikes take effect.

License No: 201501694

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.