As of the 1st October, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will be increasing their visa fees.
While it's clear that these changes are coming, I want to take a moment to emphasise the importance of acting promptly. If you have any upcoming visa processing needs, please make sure you contact us NOW, before the fee hike takes effect. Being proactive will save you both time and money.
However, there's a broader conversation that we need to have, particularly with those in senior immigration roles and policy-makers. While we fully understand the concept of a user-pays system - where fees are charged for services rendered - the current state of affairs with INZ is simply not acceptable. The excessively long processing times and what seems to be a mismanagement of immigration policies are becoming more than just a minor inconvenience. They border on being disrespectful to those who are paying significant fees for a service that is falling short of expectations.
To our valued clients and everyone who interacts with The Regions, please know that we are not taking this lightly. We are making our voices heard, loud and clear, to the decision-makers. While we recognise that INZ is running a business, and there have been some positive steps from the current coalition government in other areas, these fee increases must be matched by a substantial improvement in service.
We’re calling on INZ to really get their act together. As a business that works closely with both employers and skilled workers, we need to see a system that is efficient, reliable, and respectful of the significant investment that our clients are making.
At The Regions, we're committed to supporting you through these changes and ensuring that your needs are met with the highest level of service. Let’s hope that INZ steps up to the plate and delivers the quality of service that we all deserve.
Thank you for choosing The Regions as your trusted recruitment partner. We’re here to challenge the policymakers and make sure your business succeeds with a strong effective workforce.
You can read the full announcement here:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/increase-to-visa-charges-come-into-effect-from-1-october
