Paying the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL)

Who must pay an IVL

Only some people coming to New Zealand must pay an IVL.

It is charged for most:

• Visitor visas (excluding partner and dependent categories)
• NZeTAs (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority)
• Student visas (excluding dependent child category)
• Working Holiday and Work Exchange schemes
• Student and Trainee Work visas
• Specific Purpose Work visas

It depends on:

• the passport you are travelling on
• your reason for coming to New Zealand, and
• the visa you apply for — if you need one.

If you know the name of your visa

If you know the name of your New Zealand visa, you can find out if you need to pay an IVL by using our online tool — Fees, decision times and where to apply. For example, if you are from Peru and coming for a working holiday, your visa is a Peru Working Holiday Visa.

All the information about fees, including the IVL, shows in the results.

Fees, decision times and where to apply

If you do not know the name of your visa

You can work out which visa you need to apply for by checking out the different options that apply to your situation.

Explore and select a visa

Who does not need to pay an IVL

You do not pay an IVL if you:

• travel to New Zealand on:
• an Australian or New Zealand passport
• a passport from many Pacific Island nations
• are a transit passenger arriving at and leaving from Auckland International Airport
• have a New Zealand resident visa
• hold an Australian Resident Visa
• hold a Business Visitor Visa or APEC business travel card.

There are some other visa holders who do not need to pay the IVL. Use our online tool, Fees, decision times and where to apply, to confirm what applies to you.

Fees, decision times and where to apply

When to pay an IVL

If you need to pay the IVL, you pay it when you:

• request an NZeTA, or
• apply for your visa.

Information about NZeTA

You pay an IVL every time you request an NZeTA or apply for a visa that includes the IVL.

We do not refund the IVL, even if we decline your application.

What we use the IVL for

The number of visitors coming to New Zealand has grown strongly over the past few years and growth is expected to continue. The IVL is your contribution to maintaining the facilities and natural environment you will use and enjoy during your stay.

Find out about the kind of projects that the levy will be used to fund.

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