New Zealand Government: Border changes

The proposals include:

· a new International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy

· a new Electronic Travel Authority for some groups of travellers

· changes to the structure and levels of immigration fees and levies.

International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy

The number of visitors to New Zealand has grown strongly over the past few years, and growth is expected to continue.

Government is proposing a levy so that international visitors are contributing to the tourism infrastructure they use and helping conserve the natural environment they enjoy.

Electronic Travel Authority

The Government is consulting on a proposal to introduce an Electronic Travel Authority facility for some groups of travellers. It is a new security and facilitation measure that, if it is introduced, will help to speed things up at the border.

The Electronic Travel Authority aims to enhance security and reduce immigration, smuggling and biosecurity risks. It would cause minimal disruption to travellers and enable a more efficient provision of services at the border.

Immigration Fees and Levies Review

Immigration fees and levies help meet the cost of providing services and managing risks related to immigration.

Fees are reviewed regularly to ensure they reflect the actual cost of delivering immigration services, with the last review taking place in 2015. As more people come to New Zealand and the risks associated with immigration become more complex, it's time to take another look.

Each proposal has its own discussion document that provides further details and information on how to make a submission.

Consultation on the proposals is open until Sunday 15 July 2018.

Refer to full documentation in the attachments box below.