As part of Immigration NZ’s annual review, remuneration thresholds will increase on 26 November 2018.  This will affect prospective applicants for Essential Skills work visas and Skilled Migrant Category resident visas.  The new thresholds are based on New Zealand’s revised median salary and wage rates, which have increased by 2.9%.

On 5 November 2018, new fees and levies for most visa applications took effect.  Application fees were increased under most visa categories, although a small number were decreased and refugee applicants are now exempt from paying an application fee.

For example, this means that:

• The fee under the Skilled Migrant Category has increased from NZD 2,470 to NZD 2,710 for applicants in New Zealand; and
• The fee under the Essential Skills Work Visa (online application) has increased from NZD 298 to NZD 495.