Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Amendment Regulations (No 3) 2015

2015/274

Coat of Arms of New Zealand

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

1Title
2Commencement
3Principal regulations
4New regulation 4AA inserted (Transitional, savings, and related provisions)
4AATransitional, savings, and related provisions
5Regulation 4 amended (Interpretation)
6New regulations 4B and 4C inserted
4BImmigration levy
4CCertain applicants exempt from paying immigration levy
7Regulation 5 amended (Application requirements)
8Regulation 6 amended (Application requirements for holder or former holder of resident visa)
9Regulation 9 amended (Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa)
10Regulation 10 amended (Application requirements other than at immigration control area)
11Regulation 12 revoked (Applications that must be made online)
12Regulation 15 amended (Application requirements)
13Regulation 20 amended (Applications involving family members)
14Regulation 21 amended (Applications made without using approved form)
15Regulation 22 amended (Immigration officer may refuse to consider or continue considering application made under regulation 21)
16New regulation 23AA inserted (Chief executive may require certain visa applications to be made online)
23AAChief executive may require certain visa applications to be made online
17Regulation 23A amended (Applications that may be made online)
18Regulation 26AAB amended (Exemptions from or reductions in prescribed fees)
19Regulations 26 to 28A replaced
26Prescribed fees and immigration levy inclusive of GST
20Regulation 32 amended (Application for confirmation of immigration status)
21Regulation 33 amended (Application for endorsement of New Zealand citizenship in foreign passport)
22New Schedule 1AA inserted
23Schedule 4 replaced
24Schedule 5 amended
25New Schedule 6 inserted
Explanatory note
Administrative Information

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).

(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.

(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)

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.

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

r 22

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

r 23

Schedule 4 Fees

r 4A

Regulation under which fee prescribedMatter for which fee prescribedFee (NZ$)
New ZealandPacificRest of world
Residence class visa
5(1) and (2)(e)(i)Residence class visa application—Skilled Migrant Category1,8901,6202,505
Residence class visa application—Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category)4,2804,1654,165
Residence class visa application—Investor (Investor 2 Category)4,2804,1654,165
Residence class visa application—Entrepreneur Residence Category3,3403,3403,340
Residence class visa application—Residence from Work Category970--
Residence class visa application—Family Category9709701,670
Residence class visa application—Parent Retirement Category3,3403,3403,340
Residence class visa application—Samoan Quota scheme740720-
Residence class visa application—Pacific Access Category805785-
Residence class visa application—Refugee Family Support Category605595835
Residence class visa application—any other residence category9709701,670
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 visa190190190
6(1)(b) and (2)(d)(iiia)Permanent resident visa application by person who previously held resident visa190190190
6(1)(c) and (2)(d)(iiia)Resident visa application by person who previously held resident visa190190190
6(1)(c) and (2)(d)(iiia)Variation of travel conditions of visa by person holding resident visa190190190
Residence class visa—related matters
9(b)Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Skilled Migrant Category (hard copy)680680680
Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Skilled Migrant Category (online)530530530
Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Investor 2 Category620620620
Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Parent Category (hard copy)440440440
Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Parent Category (online)345345345
Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Pacific Access Category (first year of notification)757575
Notification of expression of interest in applying for residence class visa—Pacific Access Category (subsequent year of notification)303030
Temporary visa—visitor visa
10(1) and (2)(f)(i)Temporary visa application—visitor visa (hard copy)151116151
10(1)(a), 23A(1)(c) and (4)(i)Temporary visa application—visitor visa (online)151116151
10(1) and (2)(f)(i)Temporary visa application—Retirement Category visitor visa3,3403,3403,340
Temporary visa application—group visitor visa per person (made offshore only): approved destination status (China)--40
Temporary visa application—group visitor visa per person: other707070
Temporary visa—student visa
10(1) and (2)(f)(i)Temporary visa application—student visa (hard copy)260205280
10(1)(a), 23A(1)(c) and 4(i)Temporary visa application—student visa (online)233178253
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 instructions260260260
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)375375375
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)355355355
10(1) and (2)(f)(i)Temporary visa application—Entrepreneur Work Visa3,3402,8203,340
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 extension170-170
Temporary visa application—work visa under any other category of immigration instruction (hard copy)280240280
10(1)(a), 23A(1)(c) and (4)(i)Temporary visa application—work visa under any other category of immigration instruction (online)260220260
Temporary visa—related matters
14(1)(c)(iii)Application for reconsideration of decision to decline further temporary visa195--
Limited visa
10(1) and (2)(f)(i)Temporary entry class visa application—limited visa: limited student visa260205280
Temporary entry class visa application—limited visa: limited visa for recognised seasonal employer280240280
Temporary entry class visa application—limited visa: any other category170135170
Transit visa
15(1AA) and (1)(d)(iia)Transit visa application145145145
Transit visa application—group Chinese nationals per person85-85
Other matters—applications or requests by employers and organisations
26AA(d)Request under immigration instructions by employer for approval in principle to recruit overseas workers400--
26AA(da)Request under immigration instructions by employer for approval in principle to recruit overseas workers under foreign crew of fishing vessels instructions5,115--
26AA(e)Request under immigration instructions for supplementary seasonal employment approval in principle260--
26AA(j)Recognised Seasonal Employer status870--
26AA(k)Agreement to recruit under Recognised Seasonal Employer work immigration instructions230--
26AA(daa)Labour hire company accreditation (Essential Skills Category immigration instructions)—first year of accreditation1,775--
Labour hire company accreditation (Essential Skills Category immigration instructions)—subsequent year of accreditation500--
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 accreditation1,775--
Employer accreditation (under talent work immigration instructions)—subsequent year accreditation500--
26AA(i)Reconsideration of application from employer for talent employer accreditation195--
26AA(ia)Entertainment industry accreditation (under specific purpose or events immigration instructions)—first year of accreditation1,775--
Entertainment industry accreditation (under specific purpose or events immigration instructions)—subsequent year accreditation500--
Other matters—general
26AA(a)Request for special direction195195195
26AA(b)Residence class visa granted under section 61 of Act870--
Temporary entry class visa granted under section 61 of Act365--
26AA(c)Application for variation of conditions imposed on any type of temporary entry class visa170170170
26AA(f)Call-out fee where office is opened outside normal working hours in order to process immigration matter290290290
26AA(g)Registration under Refugee Family Support Category90--
32(1)(a) and (3)(d)Confirmation of immigration status110110110
32(1)(b) and (3)(d)Transfer fee where visa stamp or label transferred from one passport or certificate of identity to another110110110
33(1AA) and (1)(e)(ia)First endorsement of New Zealand citizenship in foreign passport135135135
33(1AA) and (2)(e)(ia)Second or subsequent endorsement of New Zealand citizenship in foreign passport858585

Schedule 3 New Schedule 6 inserted

r 25

Schedule 6 Immigration levy

r 4B

Category of applicantLevy (NZ$)
Applicant for group visitor visa10
Applicant for visitor visa: any other category14
Applicant for student visa17
Applicant for work visa38
Applicant for limited visa: limited visa for recognised seasonal employer10
Applicant for limited visa: limited student visa17
Applicant for limited visa: any other category14
Applicant for resident visa—Skilled Migrant Category580
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 Category580
Applicant for resident visa—Residence from Work Category580
Applicant for resident visa—Employees of Relocating Business Category580
Applicant for resident visa—Family Category280
Applicant for resident visa—Pacific Access Category280
Applicant for resident visa—Parent Retirement Category280
Applicant for resident visa—Pitcairn Islanders280

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.

Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2012.

Date of notification in Gazette: 19 November 2015.

These regulations are administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment.