Immigration New Zealand (IMZ) has announced that charges for its services relating to almost all categories of permits and visas would rise from July 2, 2012.
While the changes brought about in Family and Sponsorship categories (including the elimination of the ‘Centre of Gravity’ concept) appear to have earned widespread acceptance, the announcement that visa fees would be hiked would, in our view, serve as a deterrent to many potential visitors and migrants.
IMZ has said that the changes would not affect 80% of travellers to this country but the fact that it would affect people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other countries of the developing world would have averse short-term and long-term impact.
We have always said that New Zealand’s immigration policy should be flexible, attractive, attuned to market needs and be free from bureaucratic meddling.
It should also protect applicants against unscrupulous immigration consultants, even if the latter are licensed practitioners.
We say that the rise in visa fees is untimely and unwarranted.
Immigration minister Nathan Guy said that New Zealand deserved a world-class immigration system that would facilitate intake of qualified migrants who would contribute to economic growth and cultural plurality.
He said the changes to the Immigration Act should reflect the realities of the modern world.
We do not disagree.
But any increase in the fees charged would be counterproductive, keeping away talented migrants from developing countries.
Immigration advisers agree that many of the changes being enforced this month would provide migrants with a fairer and simpler immigration system, with expanded provisions for human rights at every stage of the process.
They believe that the new visa system under the new legislation would be more flexible and transparent, making the process of applying to come or stay in New Zealand simpler for migrants.
Any change that facilitates faster processing of visa applications would be welcome but not higher charges, especially under the current economic climate faced by almost all countries of the world.
IMZ officials have also said that the new charges, which account for about 17% rise across the board, is comparable with the charges imposed in most countries of the world.
Such comparisons are onerous, because as a small country, constantly in need of young migrants, New Zealand cannot afford the luxury of rate hikes, however comparable they may be.
According to some reports, we are slipping even on the tourism front, partly because of the strong New Zealand Dollar and partly because our competitors have become more aggressive in their marketing efforts.
IMZ should therefore revisit its ‘Fees Regime’ and make immigration more attractive and more ‘incentive oriented’ than Australia and Europe.’
