New Zealand Hikes on Student Visa, Effective From 1 Oct 2024

Indian scholars will have to pay NZ$485 to seek a New Zealand student visa, up from NZ$300. The New Zealand government has announced a significant hike across all visa categories, effective October 1st, 2024, which will substantially affect Indian nationals applying for work, visit, and study visas.

While the Skilled Residence visa fees have been increased to NZ$2,880 from NZ$2,480, the visa fees for the Entrepreneurial Residence Category have seen a steep surge from NZ$3,710 to NZ$11,320.

The premium for the Active Investor Plus Visa Category has increased from NZ$4,630 to NZ$12,070. At the same time, the visa fees for the Parent Retirement Category have been upsized to NZ$9,430 from NZ$3,710. The Visitor Visa fees have been increased from NZ$190 to NZ$300.

Visa Related Information
J1 Visa \| Rules and requirements	Post-study work visa in the UK
M1 visa \| Eligibility, requirements, process	Australia Post-Study Work Visa

Some of the visa categories have also seen a slashing. While the Post-Study Work visa fees have been reduced from NZ$490 to NZ$320, the Work Visa-Partner Category has also witnessed a downsize from NZ$650 to NZ$570.

The Working Holiday Scheme visa category has undergone a meagre hike from NZ$210 to NZ$ 215. The Accredited Employee Work Visa fees have been slashed from NZ$540 to NZ$480

The move to hike visa fees across different visa categories is emblematic of New zealand government’ aim to create a more sustainable immigration system. It is directed to hand over the financial responsibility from tax-paying citizens to visa applicants.