Samoans hoping to visit families in New Zealand or apply for the many visa categories will pay more as visa fees will go up as much as 50 per cent from October this year.

This follows an announcement from the New Zealand Government over the weekend for visa charges increase in its effort to “improve the immigration system to ensure it is efficient, self-funding and sustainable”. 

Immigration N.Z. says from 1 October the new visa charges will be set at “an appropriate level to recover the costs of processing a visa and reflect the benefits received by people using immigration services”.

“Immigration makes a vital contribution to New Zealand’s economy, workforce and community.

“It reunites friends and families, provides employers with access to key skills and capital, contributes to New Zealand’s international and humanitarian commitments, and supports the security and integrity of our border. 

“It is appropriate that those using and benefiting from the immigration system cover the costs of running it.” 

Immigration N.Z. added its ongoing commitment to supporting its Pacific neighbours will see the continuation of subsidised fees for visa applicants from Pacific countries. 

The new visa prices that come into effect from 1 October 2024 are:

Visitor visa will be $363.40, up 26.3 per cent from $287.60, Skilled Residence will be $9,137.50 up 35 per cent from $6,760.70 while the Family Category is up 75 per cent, costing $8095.00 from $4,625.50.

The Student Visa will cost $900.30 from $529.80, up by 69.8 per cent. The Working Holiday category is not applicable to Samoa.

The Immigration N.Z. office in Apia has come under a lot of scrutiny from Samoans due to delays in processing online visa applications and the lack of face to face communication.