The Government announced on 9 August 2024 that increases to visa charges, made up of fees and levies, are being introduced on 1 October 2024. Further to this, the Government announced on 3 September 2024 that the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will also increase from 1 October 2024. 

What is changing?

From 1 October, new visa charges will be set at an appropriate level to recover the costs of processing a visa and reflect the benefits received by people using immigration services.

Immigration makes a vital contribution to New Zealand’s economy, workforce and community.

It reunites friends and families, provides employers with access to key skills and capital, contributes to New Zealand’s international and humanitarian commitments, and supports the security and integrity of our border. It is appropriate that those using and benefiting from the immigration system cover the costs of running it.

Visa charges

The table of changes to fee and levy rates has information on what fees and levies will be charged from 1 October.

Immigration fee and levy table — rates from 1 October 2024 PDF 322KB

It is important to note, not every international visitor needs a visitor visa to come here with the majority of international visitors coming from visa-waiver countries and are not required to pay visa charges.

IVL

Most international visitors applying for a visa or NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) to enter New Zealand need to pay a non-refundable International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). The current charge of NZD$35.00 per eligible person is increasing to NZD$100.00 from 1 October 2024.

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
• Specific Purpose Work visas

It is collected through the immigration system, with travellers paying the IVL alongside visa or NZeTA fees.

Paying the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL)

IVL increase to ensure visitors contribute more to New Zealand — The Beehive

International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy — Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment

Fees, decision times and where to apply

Every visa application is different. You can use our fees, decision times and where to apply tool to find the fees and levies you will need to pay when you apply, including if you will need to pay the IVL.

This tool will be updated with the new fee and levy information on 1 October 2024.

Fees, decision times and where to apply

Pacific visas

New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to supporting its Pacific neighbours will see the continuation of subsidised fees for visa applicants from Pacific countries.

ESOL programmes

People using the immigration system will now fund 80 percent of costs for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) programmes in schools. The Government will continue to fund the remaining 20 percent.

Read more about the new visa costs: 

Creating a sustainable immigration system — The Beehive