70 UGLOBAL IMMIGRATION MAGAZINE
HOW DOES NEW ZEALAND COMPARE WITH AUSTRALIA ON COSTS ?
In the New Zealand immigration fee review , the government has drawn comparisons with Australia to help contextualize the new fee structures and underscore New Zealand ' s competitive position . Australia , one of New Zealand ' s main competitors for skilled migrants , students , and investors , offers a key reference point for assessing the affordability and impact of New Zealand ’ s visa costs .
For instance , while New Zealand charges a single visa fee for applications that include family members , Australia imposes individual fees for each applicant and additional charges for dependents . This difference often makes New Zealand a more economical option for families migrating under certain pathways , such as the Skilled Migrant and Partner Residence visas .
“ Although the fee increases make the system more selfsustaining , New Zealand believes these immigration costs remain competitive internationally .
” has nearly doubled , moving from NZD 2,750 to NZD 5,360 , as it involves more comprehensive family and support assessments .
Australia vs . New Zealand in Investment Migration
Australia ' s recent closure of its investor pathways positions New Zealand as an appealing alternative . New Zealand is a premium destination tailored for high-net-worth individuals ( HNWI ) committed to making substantial , long-term investments . With its high minimum investment threshold of NZD 15,000,000 ( although , in practice , this can be reduced to NZD 5,000,000 ), New Zealand signals its intent to attract only serious applicants who are financially prepared and aligned with the nation ’ s strategic economic goals .
Unlike Australia ’ s passive investment approach , which previously allowed applicants to fulfill requirements through simple fund placements , New Zealand ’ s Active Investor Plus ( AIP ) visa emphasizes active investments in venture capital , private equity , and managed funds . New Zealand ’ s transparent regulatory environment , renowned for stability and low corruption , provides AIP visa holders with confidence and security in their investments , making the AIP visa an attractive and more dynamic alternative for serious investors seeking economic returns and a meaningful impact on their host country .
OVERVIEW OF NEW ZEALAND ’ S FEE CHANGES
The fee adjustments under New Zealand ’ s new visa structure have varied impacts across visa categories , with significant increases for high-demand pathways and investor-focused visas . For example , fees for the Entrepreneur Work Visa — geared toward individuals establishing or purchasing businesses in New Zealand — have more than doubled . Previously priced at approximately NZD 3,920 , this visa now costs NZD 12,380 , reflecting both the higher processing requirements and the system ’ s intent to recover more costs from those who benefit directly from the immigration system .
The Active Investor Plus Visa ( APV ), designed for high-networth individuals committing substantial capital to New Zealand ’ s economy , has also seen substantial fee hikes . Previously , it was around NZD 7,780 , but this visa now requires an investment of NZD 27,470 . The increased fee aligns with the visa ’ s intended purpose of attracting investors who can contribute to sectors critical to New Zealand ’ s growth , such as technology and sustainable infrastructure .
Applicants for Skilled Residence Pathways , which include the Skilled Migrant and Parent Residency visas , will experience notable increases as well . The Skilled Migrant Category , for instance , has risen from NZD 4,290 to NZD 6,450 , reflecting the more extensive assessments and verification processes involved in granting permanent residence . The Family Residency category , including Parent Residency visa fee ,