Nearly doubled, why?

Today (August 9), Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced that it will increase visa application fees from early October, including new fees and taxes, applicable to all current visa types, including student visas. According to INZ, the new fees are adjusted to an appropriate level to offset the cost of processing applications, while reflecting the proportionality of the benefits that users of immigration services receive.

"Migration makes a vital contribution to New Zealand's economy, workforce and communities. It keeps friends and families together, provides employers with access to vital skills and capital, contributes to New Zealand's international and humanitarian commitments and supports security and border integrity. It is only right that those who use and benefit from the migration system pay for its running costs," INZ said.

Of which, the student visa will increase 1.9 times, from 395 NZD to 750 NZD (11.3 million VND). The post-study work visa will increase 2.4 times, from 700 NZD to 1,670 NZD (25.2 million VND). All of this does not include New Zealand's international tourism and conservation fee (IVL). Currently, this fee is 35 NZD and it is unclear whether it will increase in the near future, according to study abroad experts in Vietnam.

In an official statement, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said that despite the increase, the fees are still low compared to countries such as Australia and the UK, so "New Zealand remains an attractive destination to live, work, study and travel". Ms. Stanford added that the fee increase will help the government save more than $563 million over the next four years.

Previously, at the beginning of fiscal year 2024, Australia also updated a new fee schedule related to student visas. Accordingly, the student visa application fee has increased from 710 AUD to about 2.25 times, up to 1,600 AUD (26.5 million VND). In case of traveling with relatives, the applicant for a student visa must pay an additional fee of 1,190 AUD (19.7 million VND) if the relative is 18 years old or older; 390 AUD (6.4 million VND) if under 18 years old.

The new fees include processing fees, assessment fees for difficult cases, fees for monitoring exploitation of migrants and processing asylum claims, and fees for maintaining and upgrading information technology systems. "To date, the immigration system has been heavily subsidized by public funds. The upcoming changes will shift these costs to those who directly benefit from the system, ensuring that the immigration system is financially self-sufficient and operates more efficiently," Stanford stressed.

According to INZ, 80% of student visa applications are usually processed within 6 working weeks. With this visa, international students can work up to 20 hours/week during the school year, and full-time during the holidays. In case they want to bring relatives such as spouses or children, they must apply for a visa based on the respective relationship.

Previously, the New Zealand government announced in June that it would expand work visa conditions for spouses of some international students. Specifically, partners of students studying level 7 (bachelor's) and level 8 (postgraduate, pre-master's) programs in industries on the Green List can apply for a work visa with open conditions (partner of a student work visa).

In addition, children of secondary school age (if any) can apply for a dependent child student visa to enjoy the same benefits as local students, i.e. not having to pay tuition fees.

Speaking to The PIE News , Jeannie Melville, Deputy Executive Director of Immigration at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, added that the Green List includes highly skilled occupations that are in high demand, such as nurses, doctors, dentists and teachers. "We want to strike a balance between welcoming the people New Zealand needs to work, visit, live and study, while ensuring immigration security," Melville said.

According to statistics from the New Zealand Education Agency, 69,135 international students will enroll in educational institutions in New Zealand in 2023, an increase of 67% compared to 2022. Of these, 1,736 will be from Vietnam, up 10% compared to the previous year but still about half the record (3,042 in 2019), concentrated mainly in universities (1,120) and secondary schools (308).