Category: Travel News

The New Zealand government has announced a significant increase in visa fees across nearly all categories, with the new charges set to take effect from October 1, 2024.

In a statement, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized that the revised fees are designed to better reflect the actual costs of processing visas and the benefits received by those utilizing immigration services.

“Until now, our immigration system has been heavily subsidized by taxpayers,” said Minister Stanford. “The changes we’re making are shifting the cost to those benefitting from the system. We’re ensuring it is self-funding and more efficient.”

The government projects that the new visa charges, which encompass both fees and levies, will free up more than NZD 563 million for the Crown over the next four years. This adjustment is seen as a necessary step to cover the costs associated with visa processing, assessing and managing higher-risk applications, and dealing with increased compliance requirements, including the management of migrant exploitation and asylum claims.

“The new charges reflect the costs associated with visa processing, assessing and managing more high-risk applications, and increased compliance costs as we deal with higher levels of migrant exploitation, managing more asylum claims, and maintaining and upgrading Immigration New Zealand’s ICT systems,” Minister Stanford explained.

Despite the fee increases, the government has committed to maintaining subsidized fees for applicants from Pacific countries, in line with New Zealand’s ongoing support for its Pacific neighbors.

Minister Stanford also highlighted that the new fees remain competitive when compared to similar costs in countries like Australia and the United Kingdom. “We are confident New Zealand will continue to be an attractive destination to live, work, study, and visit,” she stated.

Looking ahead, the government expects that further improvements to modernize immigration systems will lead to reduced running costs and improved efficiencies over time.

“This is another step the Government is taking to restore fiscal discipline and rebuild the economy,” Minister Stanford added.

The new visa fee structure will be implemented on October 1, 2024, marking a significant shift in how New Zealand’s immigration system is funded and operated.

Mumbai News Highlights: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in Mumbai today, warning residents to prepare for more severe weather conditions. This follows a day of incessant rain that has led to significant disruptions across the city.

Heavy Rainfall Alert

According to the IMD, isolated areas in Mumbai are expected to experience heavy rainfall until July 12. A red alert has been declared, indicating the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall. The IMD has also cautioned about a high tide, compounding the challenges posed by the ongoing downpour.

The city’s administration has responded by closing schools and colleges in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Alibaug, and Panvel to ensure the safety of students and staff. Residents are advised to avoid non-essential travel and stay indoors where possible.

Record Rainfall

Monday marked a historic day for Mumbai as the city recorded its highest one-day rainfall since 2019. Several areas reported over 300 mm of rain in just a few hours. This unprecedented downpour led to the cancellation of flights, and significant disruptions in train and bus services, as well as widespread road flooding.

The IMD has extended a red alert to the Raigad and Ratnagiri districts until Tuesday afternoon. Palghar and Thane are currently under an orange alert, indicating a high likelihood of heavy rainfall.

Ongoing Safety Measures

The authorities are continuously monitoring the situation and have urged residents to stay updated through official channels. Emergency services are on high alert to respond to any incidents caused by the severe weather.

As Mumbai braces for more heavy rainfall, residents are urged to take necessary precautions and stay safe. With schools closed and transport services disrupted, it is crucial to stay informed through reliable sources and heed warnings from the authorities.

Japan travel: Mount Fuji implements entry fee and cap to curb overtourism amid the summer hiking season

Mount Fuji’s summer climbing season began on Monday with new crowd control measures to combat overtourism on the Japanese volcano’s most popular trail.

An entry fee of 2,000 yen ($13) plus an optional donation is being charged for those taking on the Yoshida Trail, and numbers are capped at 4,000 per day.

Online reservations have also been introduced this year by authorities concerned about safety and environmental damage on Japan’s highest mountain.

“I really like the idea because if you respect the mountain, you have to limit the people,” hiker Chetna Joshi told AFP at the trail’s Fifth Station — a busy starting point for hikers that is reachable by car.

The 47-year-old from India compared the crowds seen at Fuji in recent years to the “traffic jam” of climbers at the peak of Mount Everest.

Although windy and drizzly weather on Monday prevented hikers from reaching the summit, Joshi said ascending part way was still a “great experience”.

“I love mountains. I think it is not giving me permission this time, that’s OK. I accept it,” she said.

Record tourist crowds are flocking to Japan post-pandemic, with many wanting to see or scale Mount Fuji.

The mountain is covered in snow most of the year but draws more than 220,000 visitors each July-September climbing period.

Many trudge through the night to see the sunrise from the 3,776-metre (12,388-foot) summit.

Some sleep on the trail or start fires for heat, while others attempt to complete the hike without breaks, becoming sick or injured as a result.

– ‘Crazy adventure’ –

The once-peaceful pilgrimage site has three other main routes that will remain free to climb.

But the Yoshida Trail — accessed from Tokyo relatively easily — is the preferred option for most holidaymakers, with around 60 percent of climbers choosing that route.

Each summer, reports in Japanese media describe tourists climbing Mount Fuji with insufficient mountaineering equipment.

The new measures were introduced “first and foremost to protect lives”, governor Kotaro Nagasaki of Yamanashi prefecture has said.

In a reminder of the dangers, last week four bodies were found near the summit, according to local media reports.

“I personally feel like I’ve over-prepared,” Geoffrey Kula, a climber from the United States, told AFP.

“Having looked at the forecast, being ready to swap out multiple outfits if clothes get wet and things like that. Yeah, it just seems like another crazy adventure.”

– Tourist hotspot –

Monthly visitors to Japan exceeded three million for the first time in March, and then again in April and May.

The tourism chief has deemed the country’s ambitious goal of attracting 60 million foreign tourists well within reach, having last year welcomed more than 25 million.

Mount Fuji is about two hours from central Tokyo by train and can be seen for miles around.

The mountain is a symbol of Japan that has been immortalised in countless artworks, including Hokusai’s “Great Wave”.

But as in other tourist hotspots, such as Venice — which recently launched a trial of entry fees for day visitors — the influx has not been universally welcomed.

In May, a town near Mount Fuji mounted a large barrier at a popular viewing spot for the volcano in an attempt to deter photo-taking by an ever-growing number of tourists.

Residents were fed up with streams of mostly foreign visitors littering, trespassing and breaking traffic rules in their hunt for a photo to share on social media.

Similar woes have befallen the country’s ancient capital of Kyoto, where locals have complained of tourists harassing the city’s famed geisha.

Effective July 1, 2024, individuals applying for an Australian student visa must begin their application process from outside the country, rather than within Australia. This change affects holders of specific visas, such as Visitor and Temporary Graduate visas, who will no longer be allowed to apply for student visas while in Australia. The Australian government emphasizes that it will only consider student visa applications from offshore applicants who can demonstrate a genuine intention to pursue studies in Australia.

Visitors, Temporary Graduate visa holders, and other specified visa holders currently in Australia are ineligible to apply for Student visas under the new rules. However, student visa applications already lodged within Australia before July 1, 2024, will continue to be processed unaffected by these regulations. Holders of Working Holiday Maker and Work and Holiday visas are also exempt from these changes and will not face any impact on their current visa statuses.

Australia’s government has clearly stated that temporary graduates should plan to leave the country when their visa expires or explore job opportunities that could lead to employer-sponsored visas or permanent residency if they wish to remain in Australia. According to the recent “Graduates in Limbo” report by the Grattan Institute, 32 percent of Temporary Graduate Visa holders are opting to return to study to extend their stay in Australia beyond their visa’s duration.

These changes align with additional reforms scheduled for implementation on July 1 for Temporary Graduate visa holders. These reforms include notably shorter post-study work rights, a reduction in age eligibility from 50 to 35 years old, and heightened English language proficiency requirements introduced in March.

Prospective students can apply for their Student visa from overseas and travel to Australia while awaiting their visa decision. However, they must possess or be granted a visa that permits entry and stay in Australia during this period. It’s important to note that offshore Student visa applicants are ineligible for a Bridging visa to remain in Australia while their application is processed.

Under the new regulations, holders of visitor visas are permitted to study for up to three months while their visa is valid. Individuals planning to pursue studies exceeding this period must apply for a Student visa from outside Australia.

Certain visa holders in Australia, including Temporary Graduate, Maritime Crew, and Visitor visa subclasses, are now prohibited from applying for a Student visa while within the country. Specifically affected visa types include Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate), Subclass 600 (Visitor), Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority), Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment), Subclass 651 (eVisitor), and Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew). Additionally, holders of Subclass 403 (Temporary Work) under the International Relations (Domestic Worker – Diplomatic or Consular) stream, Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular), Subclass 771 (Transit), and Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary – primary visa holders only) are already ineligible to lodge valid Student visa applications while in Australia.