New Zealand changes some immigration fees

New Zealand immigration authorities are set to change some of the fees related to visas and residence permits.

On 28 July 2008, five fee changes will take place, including two related to a provision in New Zealand's Immigration Act which allows the Immigration Minister to grant visas and residence permits to people who were residing illegally in New Zealand.

The fee changes are listed below:

• The general group visitor visa fee will drop from NZD $80 to NZD $60
• The group visitor fee for application made in Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, and Bangkok (Thailand citizens only) will drop from NZD $75 to NZD $60
• The transfer fee for permits or visa stamps from one passport of certificate of identity to another will decrease from NZD $100 to NZD $80
• Temporary visas granted by the Immigration Minister for people who were residing illegally in New Zealand will increase from NZD $200 to NZD $260
• Residence permits granted by the Immigration Minister for people who were residing illegally in New Zealand will be NZD $700

All other fees will remain the same, including residence permits and visas related to New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category, which allows foreign workers to immigrate to New Zealand without first having a specific job offer.