Can I get a refund of my application fee?
Visit, study, critical purpose and work visas
You can only get a refund in special circumstances. Each request is considered on a case by case basis.
Visit
- While I’m in New Zealand as a visitor, can I look for a job?
- I’m visiting New Zealand and I’ve had an accident. Can I get medical treatment?
- Can I change the travel conditions on my visa from single entry to multiple?
- Can I undertake a short course of study while visiting NZ?
- Can I apply as a parent or grandparent for a visa?
- Can I apply for any other visa while on a visitor visa in New Zealand?
- I’m on a guardian visitor visa. Can I work part-time?
- I’m on a guardian visitor visa and need to travel home for an emergency
- I have a 3-month visitor visa. Can I enter New Zealand without a return air ticket?
- How long can I travel or be away overseas?
- Can I do unpaid work while visiting New Zealand?
- Can I get a refund of my application fee?
If your visa application has already been completed
You cannot get a refund if your application has been completed, even if it was declined. This is because the fee you pay covers the costs of assessing your application.
If your visa application has not been completed
You can apply for a refund if your visa application has not been completed, but refunds are only given in special circumstances. You cannot get a refund if you change your mind about your application.
Situations where fee refunds apply can include:
- you paid the fee but you did not need to
- you paid the wrong fee
- you paid the fee but your application did not meet our lodgement criteria.
Apply for a refund
To apply for a refund:
- Complete the refund request form.
- Send your refund request to the same office that you sent your application to. If you applied online, check our Fees, decision times and where to apply page to find the office that handles applications for your location.
Customer Refund Request Form PDF 499KB
Fees, decision times and where to apply
Immigration New Zealand is refunding applications that lapsed because they could not be processed due to COVID-19 border measures.
We will email eligible visa applicants, or their representative, when their refund is being processed. You do not have to request the refund from us.
If you have applied for a Recovery Visa your application fee will be refunded automatically if your application is successful. Refunds are expected to take 15 to 25 days to process, depending on demand for the new visa. Once the refund has been processed, confirmation will be provided via the email address listed as the contact in the application.