New Zealand to increase student visa fees by 90% for Nigerians, others

The New Zealand Government has announced a 90% increase in student visa fees for Nigerians and citizens from non-Pacific countries.

This change will take effect from October 1, 2024. 

This is according to information on the New Zealand immigration website.

The student visa fees which are currently NZD395 ($238) will increase to NZD 750 ($452) from October 1. 

In New Zealand, visa application is categorised into three, Band A which refers to residents of New Zealand reapplying for the visa, Band B which refers to citizens from Pacific Nations, and Band C which refers to people from other parts of the world, like Nigeria.

Student visa: Previously, Band A student visa applications cost NZD 375, while Band B student visa applications cost NZD 315, and Band C’s cost NZD 395 

The revision in visa fees have also affected post study work visas, which previously cost NZD 700 ($422) for Nigerians and other citizens of the world. Post-study work visas for those in Band C have now increased by about 139% to NZD 1,670, which is about $1,006. 

For other related updates on work visas, the preceding fee of band A which stood at NZD860, has recently seen an update to NZD1,630, signifying a 90% increase. Band B which stood at NZD650 now registers for NZD1,630.

Entrepreneur work visa housed a fee of NZD3920, but its current fee registers at a NZD 

For Band C visa applications, the previous visa application fee for skilled residence registered at NZD2,480 ($1,494), but with the recent changes, the present figure stands at $2,880 ($1,735), signifying a 16% increase.