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Fees and Levies
Immigration makes a vital contribution to New Zealand’s economy, workforce and community. The immigration system is funded mostly by visa charges made up of a separate immigration fee and levy.
New Zealand’s immigration charges are set by the Government and reflect the current costs associated with operating the immigration system.
Current fee and levy rates, as of 1 October 2024:
Immigration fee and levy table — rates from 1 October 2024 PDF 322KB
What do visa charges pay for?
Immigration charges are made up of both a fee and a levy component. Immigration fees recover the direct and indirect costs of assessing and processing each visa type.
The immigration levy funds the wider costs of running the immigration system, including maintenance costs of the immigration system, managing immigration risk and compliance, the attraction of migrants and supporting migrant settlement.
The Immigration levy also covers 80 percent of the cost of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) programmes. This is because most students receiving ESOL support in schools are from migrant backgrounds. The remaining 20 percent is funded by the Government.
Visa applicants from Pacific countries
Most pacific fee band rates are lower than the rates paid by applicants from other countries reflecting the Government’s commitment to support Pacific stability, prosperity, and resilience.
The Government also subsidises the following 3 key Pacific visas:
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa
Not everyone coming to New Zealand pays visa charges
The cost of a visa is just one of many factors people consider when choosing to come to New Zealand.
Not every international visitor needs a Visitor Visa to come here, with the majority of international visitors coming from visa-waiver countries. However, these individuals need to pay for and be granted an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL)
Most international visitors applying for a visa or NZeTA to enter New Zealand also need to pay a non-refundable IVL of NZD$100.00.
The levy is charged for most:
- Visitor visas (excluding partner and dependent categories)
- NZeTAs
- Student visas (excluding dependent child category)
- Working Holiday and Work Exchange schemes
- Student and Trainee Work visas, and
- Specific Purpose Work visas.