Kia ora Ross Munro,
 
On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 31/03/2026 requesting, under the Official
Information Act 1982, the following:
 
Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment,

In August 2024 I received the following justification from the Minister of
Immigration regarding the proposed doubling of the fee for Partner of a
New Zealander Resident Visa  applications:

'Please note that the immigration system operates on a cost-recovery
basis. The new visa charges reflect the current and real costs associated
with direct and broader costs of the immigration system associated with
assessing and managing more high-risk applications and increased
compliance costs while managing a significant surge in asylum claims, and
maintaining Immigration NZ’s ICT systems.'

The fee subsequently increased from $2,750 to $5,360, an increase of 95%,
on 1st October, 2024.

Can you please provide itemised details of the '...current and real costs
associated with direct and broader costs of the immigration system
associated with assessing and managing more high-risk applications and
increased compliance costs while managing a significant surge in asylum
claims, and maintaining Immigration NZ’s ICT systems.'
 
We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible, and no
later than 1/05/2026, being 20 working days after the day your request
was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will
notify you of an extension of that timeframe. If you have any enquiries
regarding your request feel free to contact us via email to
[1][MBIE request email].
 
Nāku noa, nā
Ministerial Services
Strategy and Assurance
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |  P O Box 1473 Wellington 6140

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[MBIE request email]

Kia ora Ross,
 
Please see attached our response to your request for information under the
Official Information Act 1982.

Ngā mihi nui,

Ministerial Services
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 | PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140