Government increases fees for some of those staying in managed isolation

March 2, 2021

There were no new community Covid cases today, but the real test will be in the coming days, Dr Ashley Bloomfield warned.

The Government has announced it will be increasing fees for temporary entry visa class holders staying in managed isolation.

In a release this afternoon, the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) outlined the new fee structure.

"From 25 March 2021, it is intended that temporary entry visa class holders will be charged higher fees for their managed isolation and quarantine stay," the statement reads.

"The fees are currently $3100 (incl GST) for 14 days in managed isolation.

Drew Leafa has worked at Auckland’s Jet Park facility since it opened in early 2020.

"From 12.01am on 25 March, 2021, this will increase to $5520 (incl GST) for the first or only person in a room, $2990 for an additional adult, and $1610 for an additional child."

The latest changes affect all temporary entry visa class holders, including:

• Visitor visas (such as partners of a New Zealand citizen or resident)
• Student visas
• Work visas, and
• Limited visas

According to MBIE, the new fees better reflect the actual costs of managed isolation, although the Government is still subsidising some of the cost.

The new fees are the same as those charged to critical workers entering the country under a border exception.

"Temporary entry class visa holders who have already booked managed isolation and quarantine places and enter facilities from 25 March, 2021 will be liable to pay the new fees," MBIE says.

"This change will not affect those temporary entry class visa holders who have entered managed isolation and quarantine before 12.01am on 25 March."

However there will be exceptions as critical healthcare workers entering under a border exception will continue to be charged the current standard fee of $3,100

MBIE states it can grant a full or partial waiver of managed isolation fees in cases of financial hardship or other special circumstances, or arrange a deferment of payment, for temporary entry visa class holders. See the MIQ website for more details.


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