Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Amendment Regulations (No 3) 2015
2015/274
Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Amendment Regulations (No 3) 2015
Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General
Order in Council
At Wellington this 16th day of November 2015
Present:
His Excellency the Governor-General in Council
Pursuant to sections 400 to 402 of the Immigration Act 2009, His Excellency the Governor-General, acting on the advice and with the consent of the Executive Council, makes the following regulations.
Contents
Regulations
1 Title
These regulations are the Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Amendment Regulations (No 3) 2015.
2 Commencement
These regulations come into force on 7 December 2015.
3 Principal regulations
These regulations amend the Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010 (the principal regulations).
4 New regulation 4AA inserted (Transitional, savings, and related provisions)
After regulation 4, insert:
4AA Transitional, savings, and related provisions
The transitional, savings, and related provisions set out in Schedule 1AA have effect according to their terms.
5 Regulation 4 amended (Interpretation)
In regulation 4(1), insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:
immigration levy means the levy imposed under regulation 4B
6 New regulations 4B and 4C inserted
After regulation 4A, insert:
4B Immigration levy
(1)
An immigration levy is imposed on the applicants in the categories listed in the first column of Schedule 6.
(2)
The immigration levy payable by an applicant within a category listed in the first column of Schedule 6 is the amount specified for that category in the second column of Schedule 6.
(3)
Subclause (2) is subject to subclauses (4) and (5).
(4)
If an application relates to more than 1 person and is not an application for a group visitor visa, only the principal applicant is liable to pay the immigration levy.
(5)
Subclause (2) does not apply to an applicant who is exempt from the obligation to pay an immigration levy—
(a)
by a special direction; or
(b)
under regulation 4C.
(6)
An immigration levy is in addition to all other amounts payable by the applicant in respect of his or her application.
(7)
In subclause (4), principal applicant means a person who is—
(a)
declared to be the principal applicant on the relevant application form; or
(b)
defined as the principal applicant in the relevant immigration instructions.
4C Certain applicants exempt from paying immigration levy
An applicant is exempt from paying the immigration levy imposed under regulation 4B if the applicant is—
(a)
a person for whom the requirement to hold a visa permitting travel to New Zealand is waived under regulation 18; or
(b)
a person described in Schedule 5; or
(c)
a citizen of any country with which New Zealand maintains a reciprocal fee-waiver agreement in respect of the prescribed fee; or
(d)
a claimant, refugee, or protected person; or
(e)
applying for a resident visa on the basis of his or her relationship with a refugee or protected person; or
(f)
applying for a visa under—
(i)
the Special Category for Victims of People Trafficking immigration instructions; or
(ii)
the Special Category for Victims of Domestic Violence immigration instructions; or
(iii)
the Skilled Migrant Category Job Search immigration instructions; or
(g)
a citizen of Samoa applying for a resident visa.
7 Regulation 5 amended (Application requirements)
(1)
Replace regulation 5(1)(c) with:
(c)
an application for a residence class visa that is made online under regulation 23AA or 23A, in which case regulation 23AA or 23A applies (as the case may be).
(2)
Revoke regulation 5(2)(d)(iia).
(3)
In regulation 5(2)(d)(v), after “document (or a certified copy)”
, insert “; and”
.
(4)
After regulation 5(2)(d), insert:
(e)
accompanied by—
(i)
the prescribed fee; and
(ii)
the immigration levy payable by the applicant (if any).
8 Regulation 6 amended (Application requirements for holder or former holder of resident visa)
In regulation 6(1), replace “(except applications that are made online, in which case regulation 23A applies instead)”
with “(except applications that are made online under regulation 23AA or 23A)”
.
9 Regulation 9 amended (Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa)
(1)
Replace regulation 9(a) with:
(a)
completing the approved form in English; and
(2)
In regulation 9(b), replace “physically”
with “in hard copy form”
.
10 Regulation 10 amended (Application requirements other than at immigration control area)
(1)
Replace regulation 10(1) with:
(1)
This regulation applies to all applications for a temporary entry class visa made anywhere other than at an immigration control area, except the following:
(a)
applications for a temporary entry class visa made online under regulation 23AA or 23A:
(b)
applications by or on behalf of diplomatic or consular officials made under regulation 13.
(2)
Revoke regulation 10(2)(e)(iia).
(3)
In regulation 10(2)(e)(iv), after “instructions”
, insert “; and”
.
(4)
After regulation 10(2)(e), insert:
(f)
be accompanied by—
(i)
the prescribed fee; and
(ii)
the immigration levy payable by the applicant (if any).
11 Regulation 12 revoked (Applications that must be made online)
Revoke regulation 12.
12 Regulation 15 amended (Application requirements)
In regulation 15(1AA), replace “, in which case regulation 23A applies instead”
with “under regulation 23AA or 23A”
.
13 Regulation 20 amended (Applications involving family members)
Replace regulation 20(5)(c)(ii) with:
(ii)
if the application is not an application for a group visitor visa or a group transit visa, only 1 fee is required for the application; and
14 Regulation 21 amended (Applications made without using approved form)
(1)
After regulation 21(3)(ba), insert:
(bb)
paying the immigration levy that is payable by the applicant (if any), or arranging for its payment in a manner acceptable to the immigration officer processing the application (unless the application is made at an immigration control area, in which case no immigration levy is payable); and
(2)
Replace regulation 21(7)(c)(ii) with:
(ii)
if the application is not an application for a group visitor visa or a group transit visa, only 1 fee is required for the application; and
15 Regulation 22 amended (Immigration officer may refuse to consider or continue considering application made under regulation 21)
(1)
In regulation 22(2)(c), after “paragraph (b)”
, insert “; and”
.
(2)
After regulation 22(2)(c), insert:
(d)
any immigration levy paid by the applicant in relation to the application under regulation 21 must be refunded or applied towards any application made in accordance with paragraph (b).
16 New regulation 23AA inserted (Chief executive may require certain visa applications to be made online)
After regulation 23, insert:
23AA Chief executive may require certain visa applications to be made online
(1)
The chief executive may require certain visa applications to be made online.
(2)
If the chief executive requires certain visa applications to be made online, a list of those applications must be made publicly available on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Department.
(3)
Subclauses (4) to (6) apply in respect of an application that the chief executive requires to be made online.
(4)
The application must be made—
(a)
online on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Department; and
(b)
using the electronic form provided on the site for the purpose.
(5)
Without limiting subclause (4)(b), the applicant must—
(a)
complete the electronic form in English and include—
(i)
his or her full name; and
(ii)
his or her date of birth; and
(iii)
the details of his or her passport or other certificate of identity and, if applicable, confirm that he or she has the appropriate status for the visa category under which the application is being made; and
(b)
produce the information and evidence required by the relevant immigration instructions to demonstrate that the applicant fits the category or categories under which the application is being made; and
(c)
acknowledge that the details supplied in support of the application are true and correct to the best of the applicant’s knowledge; and
(d)
agree that, if the applicant’s circumstances change before any visa is granted, the applicant will notify an immigration officer of the change in circumstances; and
(e)
pay the prescribed fee or arrange for its payment in a manner acceptable to the immigration officer processing the application; and
(f)
pay the immigration levy that is payable (if any), or arrange for its payment in a manner acceptable to the immigration officer processing the application.
(6)
The immigration officer processing the application may require the applicant to do 1 or more of the following before determining the application:
(a)
be interviewed by an immigration officer:
(b)
produce his or her passport or other certificate of identity:
(c)
produce further information or evidence (including photographs) that the officer thinks necessary for him or her to determine the application:
(d)
produce travel tickets to a country that the applicant has right of entry to or other evidence of onward travel arrangements that the officer thinks necessary for him or her to determine the application:
(e)
produce evidence of the applicant’s funds for maintenance while in New Zealand or evidence of the applicant’s sponsorship that the officer thinks necessary for him or her to determine the application.
17 Regulation 23A amended (Applications that may be made online)
(1)
In regulation 23A(4)(i), after “application”
, insert “; and”
.
(2)
After regulation 23A(4)(i), insert:
(j)
pay the immigration levy that is payable by the applicant (if any), or arrange for its payment in a manner acceptable to the immigration officer processing the application.
18 Regulation 26AAB amended (Exemptions from or reductions in prescribed fees)
(1)
In the heading to regulation 26AAB, delete “or reductions in”
.
(2)
Revoke regulation 26AAB(4) to (6).
19 Regulations 26 to 28A replaced
Replace regulations 26 to 28A with:
26 Prescribed fees and immigration levy inclusive of GST
The prescribed fees and immigration levy imposed by these regulations are inclusive of goods and services tax.
20 Regulation 32 amended (Application for confirmation of immigration status)
(1)
In regulation 32(3), delete “at an office of the Department”
.
(2)
Replace regulation 32(3A) with:
(3A)
However, subclause (3) does not apply to an application that is made online under regulation 23AA or 23A.
21 Regulation 33 amended (Application for endorsement of New Zealand citizenship in foreign passport)
Replace regulation 33(1AA) with:
(1AA)
This regulation applies to an application for endorsement of New Zealand citizenship in a foreign passport unless the application is made online under regulation 23AA or 23A.
22 New Schedule 1AA inserted
Insert the Schedule 1AA set out in Schedule 1 of these regulations as the first schedule to appear after the last regulation of the principal regulations.
23 Schedule 4 replaced
Replace Schedule 4 with the Schedule 4 set out in Schedule 2 of these regulations.
24 Schedule 5 amended
(1)
Replace the Schedule 5 heading with:
Schedule 5 People exempt from paying prescribed fees and immigration levy
(2)
In the Schedule 5 heading, replace “r 26AAB(1)(b)”
with “rr 4C, 26AAB(1)(b)”
.
25 New Schedule 6 inserted
After Schedule 5, insert the Schedule 6 set out in Schedule 3 of these regulations.
Schedule 1 New Schedule 1AA inserted
Schedule 1AA Application, savings, and transitional provisions relating to amendments made to these regulations after 1 December 2015
r 4AA
Part 1 Provisions relating to Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Amendment Regulations (No 3) 2015
1 Interpretation
In clause 2,—
amendment regulations means the Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Amendment Regulations (No 3) 2015
relevant person has the meaning given to it by section 399(7) of the Act.
2 Transitional provision
Regulations 26 to 28, as in force immediately before the commencement of the amendment regulations, continue to apply in respect of a relevant person who under section 399(8)(b) of the Act would have been liable to pay the migrant levy.
Schedule 2 Schedule 4 replaced
Schedule 4 Fees
r 4A
| Regulation under which fee prescribed | Matter for which fee prescribed | Fee (NZ$) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Pacific | Rest of world | ||||||
| Residence class visa | ||||||||
| 5(1) and (2)(e)(i) | Residence class visa application—Skilled Migrant Category | 1,890 | 1,620 | 2,505 | ||||
| Residence class visa application—Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) | 4,280 | 4,165 | 4,165 | |||||
| Residence class visa application—Investor (Investor 2 Category) | 4,280 | 4,165 | 4,165 | |||||
| Residence class visa application—Entrepreneur Residence Category | 3,340 | 3,340 | 3,340 | |||||
| Residence class visa application—Residence from Work Category | 970 | - | - | |||||
| Residence class visa application—Family Category | 970 | 970 | 1,670 | |||||
| Residence class visa application—Parent Retirement Category | 3,340 | 3,340 | 3,340 | |||||
| Residence class visa application—Samoan Quota scheme | 740 | 720 | - | |||||
| Residence class visa application—Pacific Access Category | 805 | 785 | - | |||||
| Residence class visa application—Refugee Family Support Category | 605 | 595 | 835 | |||||
| Residence class visa application—any other residence category | 970 | 970 | 1,670 | |||||
| Residence class visa—application by holder or former holder of resident visa | ||||||||
| 6(1)(a) and (2)(d)(iiia) | Permanent resident visa application by person holding resident visa | 190 | 190 | 190 | ||||
| 6(1)(b) and (2)(d)(iiia) | Permanent resident visa application by person who previously held resident visa | 190 | 190 | 190 | ||||
| 6(1)(c) and (2)(d)(iiia) | Resident visa application by person who previously held resident visa | 190 | 190 | 190 | ||||
| 6(1)(c) and (2)(d)(iiia) | Variation of travel conditions of visa by person holding resident visa | 190 | 190 | 190 | ||||
| Residence class visa—related matters | ||||||||
| 9(b) | Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Skilled Migrant Category (hard copy) | 680 | 680 | 680 | ||||
| Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Skilled Migrant Category (online) | 530 | 530 | 530 | |||||
| Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Investor 2 Category | 620 | 620 | 620 | |||||
| Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Parent Category (hard copy) | 440 | 440 | 440 | |||||
| Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Parent Category (online) | 345 | 345 | 345 | |||||
| Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Pacific Access Category (first year of notification) | 75 | 75 | 75 | |||||
| Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Pacific Access Category (subsequent year of notification) | 30 | 30 | 30 | |||||
| Temporary visa—visitor visa | ||||||||
| 10(1) and (2)(f)(i) | Temporary visa application—visitor visa (hard copy) | 151 | 116 | 151 | ||||
| 10(1)(a), 23A(1)(c) and (4)(i) | Temporary visa application—visitor visa (online) | 151 | 116 | 151 | ||||
| 10(1) and (2)(f)(i) | Temporary visa application—Retirement Category visitor visa | 3,340 | 3,340 | 3,340 | ||||
| Temporary visa application—group visitor visa per person (made offshore only): approved destination status (China) | - | - | 40 | |||||
| Temporary visa application—group visitor visa per person: other | 70 | 70 | 70 | |||||
| Temporary visa—student visa | ||||||||
| 10(1) and (2)(f)(i) | Temporary visa application—student visa (hard copy) | 260 | 205 | 280 | ||||
| 10(1)(a), 23A(1)(c) and 4(i) | Temporary visa application—student visa (online) | 233 | 178 | 253 | ||||
| 10(1) and (2)(f)(i) | Temporary visa application—student visa (submitted by education provider) | 100 | - | - | ||||
| Temporary visa—work visa | ||||||||
| 10(1)(a), 23AA(1) and (5)(e) | Temporary visa application—work visa under Silver Fern Job Search immigration instructions | 260 | 260 | 260 | ||||
| 10(1) and (2)(f)(i) | Temporary visa application—work visa under Work Partnership/Work to Residence (Talent (Arts, Culture, and Sports), Talent (Employer Accreditation), or Talent (Long-term Skills Shortage List)) (hard copy) | 375 | 375 | 375 | ||||
| 10(1)(a), 23A(1)(c) and (4)(i) | Temporary visa application—work visa under Work Partnership/Work to Residence (Talent (Arts, Culture, and Sports), Talent (Employer Accreditation), or Talent (Long-term Skills Shortage List)) (online) | 355 | 355 | 355 | ||||
| 10(1) and (2)(f)(i) | Temporary visa application—Entrepreneur Work Visa | 3,340 | 2,820 | 3,340 | ||||
| 10(1)(a), 23AA(1) and (5)(e) | Temporary visa application—work visa under working holiday scheme (online) | 170 | - | 170 | ||||
| 10(1) and (2)(f)(i) | Temporary visa application—work visa under working holiday scheme (hard copy) | 170 | - | 170 | ||||
| Temporary visa application—work visa under working holidaymaker extension | 170 | - | 170 | |||||
| Temporary visa application—work visa under any other category of immigration instruction (hard copy) | 280 | 240 | 280 | |||||
| 10(1)(a), 23A(1)(c) and (4)(i) | Temporary visa application—work visa under any other category of immigration instruction (online) | 260 | 220 | 260 | ||||
| Temporary visa—related matters | ||||||||
| 14(1)(c)(iii) | Application for reconsideration of decision to decline further temporary visa | 195 | - | - | ||||
| Limited visa | ||||||||
| 10(1) and (2)(f)(i) | Temporary entry class visa application—limited visa: limited student visa | 260 | 205 | 280 | ||||
| Temporary entry class visa application—limited visa: limited visa for recognised seasonal employer | 280 | 240 | 280 | |||||
| Temporary entry class visa application—limited visa: any other category | 170 | 135 | 170 | |||||
| Transit visa | ||||||||
| 15(1AA) and (1)(d)(iia) | Transit visa application | 145 | 145 | 145 | ||||
| Transit visa application—group Chinese nationals per person | 85 | - | 85 | |||||
| Other matters—applications or requests by employers and organisations | ||||||||
| 26AA(d) | Request under immigration instructions by employer for approval in principle to recruit overseas workers | 400 | - | - | ||||
| 26AA(da) | Request under immigration instructions by employer for approval in principle to recruit overseas workers under foreign crew of fishing vessels instructions | 5,115 | - | - | ||||
| 26AA(e) | Request under immigration instructions for supplementary seasonal employment approval in principle | 260 | - | - | ||||
| 26AA(j) | Recognised Seasonal Employer status | 870 | - | - | ||||
| 26AA(k) | Agreement to recruit under Recognised Seasonal Employer work immigration instructions | 230 | - | - | ||||
| 26AA(daa) | Labour hire company accreditation (Essential Skills Category immigration instructions)—first year of accreditation | 1,775 | - | - | ||||
| Labour hire company accreditation (Essential Skills Category immigration instructions)—subsequent year of accreditation | 500 | - | - | |||||
| 26AA(dab) | Reconsideration of application from labour hire company for accreditation (Essential Skills Category immigration instructions) | 195 | - | - | ||||
| 26AA(h) | Employer accreditation (under talent work immigration instructions)—first year of accreditation | 1,775 | - | - | ||||
| Employer accreditation (under talent work immigration instructions)—subsequent year accreditation | 500 | - | - | |||||
| 26AA(i) | Reconsideration of application from employer for talent employer accreditation | 195 | - | - | ||||
| 26AA(ia) | Entertainment industry accreditation (under specific purpose or events immigration instructions)—first year of accreditation | 1,775 | - | - | ||||
| Entertainment industry accreditation (under specific purpose or events immigration instructions)—subsequent year accreditation | 500 | - | - | |||||
| Other matters—general | ||||||||
| 26AA(a) | Request for special direction | 195 | 195 | 195 | ||||
| 26AA(b) | Residence class visa granted under section 61 of Act | 870 | - | - | ||||
| Temporary entry class visa granted under section 61 of Act | 365 | - | - | |||||
| 26AA(c) | Application for variation of conditions imposed on any type of temporary entry class visa | 170 | 170 | 170 | ||||
| 26AA(f) | Call-out fee where office is opened outside normal working hours in order to process immigration matter | 290 | 290 | 290 | ||||
| 26AA(g) | Registration under Refugee Family Support Category | 90 | - | - | ||||
| 32(1)(a) and (3)(d) | Confirmation of immigration status | 110 | 110 | 110 | ||||
| 32(1)(b) and (3)(d) | Transfer fee where visa stamp or label transferred from one passport or certificate of identity to another | 110 | 110 | 110 | ||||
| 33(1AA) and (1)(e)(ia) | First endorsement of New Zealand citizenship in foreign passport | 135 | 135 | 135 | ||||
| 33(1AA) and (2)(e)(ia) | Second or subsequent endorsement of New Zealand citizenship in foreign passport | 85 | 85 | 85 | ||||
Schedule 3 New Schedule 6 inserted
Schedule 6 Immigration levy
r 4B
| Category of applicant | Levy (NZ$) | |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant for group visitor visa | 10 | |
| Applicant for visitor visa: any other category | 14 | |
| Applicant for student visa | 17 | |
| Applicant for work visa | 38 | |
| Applicant for limited visa: limited visa for recognised seasonal employer | 10 | |
| Applicant for limited visa: limited student visa | 17 | |
| Applicant for limited visa: any other category | 14 | |
| Applicant for resident visa—Skilled Migrant Category | 580 | |
| Applicant for resident visa—Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) | 580 | |
| Applicant for resident visa—Investor (Investor 2 Category) | 580 | |
| Applicant for resident visa—Entrepreneur Residence Category | 580 | |
| Applicant for resident visa—Residence from Work Category | 580 | |
| Applicant for resident visa—Employees of Relocating Business Category | 580 | |
| Applicant for resident visa—Family Category | 280 | |
| Applicant for resident visa—Pacific Access Category | 280 | |
| Applicant for resident visa—Parent Retirement Category | 280 | |
| Applicant for resident visa—Pitcairn Islanders | 280 |
Michael Webster,
Clerk of the Executive Council.
Explanatory note
This note is not part of the regulations, but is intended to indicate their general effect.
These regulations, which come into force on 7 December 2015, amend the Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010 (the principal regulations).
The current migrant levy in regulation 26 of the principal regulations is replaced with a new immigration levy (new regulations 4B and 4C) that is payable by applicants at the time of making an application for a temporary visa, limited visa, or residence class visa (other than a permanent resident visa or subsequent resident visa). The immigration levy payable by these categories of applicants is set out in a new Schedule 6. In the case of a group visitor visa or a group transit visa, the immigration levy is payable by each person to whom the application relates.
Currently, regulation 12 of the principal regulations specifies the types of visa applications that must be made online. Regulation 12 is revoked and new regulation 23AA allows the chief executive to specify any visa applications that must be made online. A list of all visa applications required to be made online must be made publicly available on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Department.
The fees payable for specified immigration applications are set out in Schedule 4 of the principal regulations. That schedule is replaced by a new Schedule 4 that revises the fees and fee levels.
Regulation 26AAB of the principal regulations currently applies a reduction of $92 to some visa application fees. That reduction is removed.
These regulations also amend regulation 32 of the principal regulations so that an offshore applicant applying for confirmation of his or her immigration status is not required to submit the application to an office of the Department. The application could be submitted to an immigration officer at a Visa Application Centre.
Regulatory impact statement
The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment produced a regulatory impact statement on 2 September 2015 to help inform the decisions taken by the Government relating to the contents of this instrument.
A copy of this regulatory impact statement can be found at—
Date of notification in Gazette: 19 November 2015.
These regulations are administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment.