2025 NZ Visitor Visa Fee: $341 Processing + $100 IVL

If you’ve started budgeting for a New Zealand holiday, the visa fees might catch you off guard. Most visitors end up paying two separate charges: a processing fee for the visa itself, plus a levy that funds tourism infrastructure. The good news is that the official breakdown is straightforward — once you know where to look. This guide lays out every cost, explains who gets exemptions, and shows you exactly where to pay.

Visitor Visa Processing Fee: NZD $341 · International Visitor Levy (IVL): NZD $100 · NZeTA Online Cost: NZD $17 · Visitor Stay Limit: Up to 6 or 9 months

How much does a NZ Visitors visa cost?

The standard Visitor Visa carries a processing fee of NZD $341, charged when you submit your application. This fee is non-refundable regardless of whether your visa is granted or refused.

Processing fees

According to Immigration New Zealand (the government’s immigration authority), the NZD $341 fee covers the cost of assessing your application. Additional charges may apply depending on your location and whether you use an agent.

IVL charge

The International Visitor Levy adds NZD $100 to most visitor visa applications. Immigration New Zealand announced the increase from NZD $35 to NZD $100 on 9 August 2024, with the new rate taking effect on 1 October 2024. The IVL funds tourism infrastructure and natural landscape conservation projects.

The implication: budget at least NZD $441 for a standard visitor visa application, knowing the IVL component is never recoverable.

Payment methods

Visa fees and the IVL are paid in the same transaction when you apply online through the Immigration New Zealand portal. Payment is by credit or debit card. The official fees tool lets you calculate exact costs based on your citizenship and where you apply from.

How much does a New Zealand ETA visa cost?

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) serves visitors from visa-waiver countries — those who would normally enter without a full visa. The cost depends on how you apply.

NZeTA fees online vs app

• Mobile app: NZ$17
• Website: NZ$23

Hiking New Zealand notes that the app is the cheaper route, with the website charging a higher processing fee. Both options include the IVL of NZD $100 when it’s required for your nationality.

Who needs NZeTA

Citizens of about 60 visa-waiver countries — including the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Japan, and Singapore — must obtain an NZeTA before travelling. The Discover New Zealand guide confirms that the NZeTA is valid for up to two years and permits multiple entries.

IVL for visa-waiver visitors

Most travellers using the NZeTA also pay the IVL of NZD $100, charged automatically in the same transaction. However, Immigration New Zealand notes several exemptions: New Zealand and Australian passport holders, Pacific Island passport holders, transit passengers, and holders of a Business Visitor Visa or APEC Business Travel Card.

Do I need a visa for a 2 week trip to New Zealand?

For a short visit of two weeks, many travellers don’t need a full Visitor Visa. Whether you need one — or just the cheaper NZeTA — depends entirely on your passport.

Visa-exempt nationalities

Citizens of visa-waiver countries can stay up to six months without a visa, provided they have a valid NZeTA. The NZ Pocket Guide explains that the NZeTA is mandatory for these visitors and costs between NZ$17 and NZ$23 depending on the application method.

NZeTA requirement

The NZeTA takes minutes to apply for via the official app. You need your passport details, a credit card, and an email address. Once approved, it’s linked to your passport electronically. Processing is usually fast, though Immigration New Zealand advises applying at least a few days before travel.

Visitor visa for others

If your passport is from a country not on the visa-waiver list, you’ll apply for the standard Visitor Visa regardless of trip length. Processing fees apply from NZD $341 plus the IVL, and you may need to provide supporting documents such as proof of accommodation and return travel.

The pattern: the shorter your stay, the less likely you need a full visa — but the NZeTA is still required for most passport holders. Budget roughly NZ$117–NZ$123 total for a two-week NZeTA trip.

How much does a New Zealand tourist visa cost?

In practice, “tourist visa” and “visitor visa” refer to the same thing in New Zealand’s immigration system. The fee structure doesn’t change based on how you describe your trip.

Tourist vs visitor visa

New Zealand’s immigration categories use the term “Visitor Visa” for all short-term stays including tourism, family visits, and short business trips. Immigration New Zealand confirms that the same NZD $341 fee applies regardless of the purpose of your visit.

2025-2026 fee outlook

The most recent fee change was the IVL increase to NZD $100 on 1 October 2024. The Envoy Global immigration news service reports that visitor visa fees for eligible Pacific nationals will drop from NZD $216 to NZD $161 beginning 1 June 2026 for a 12-month period. No changes have been announced for other nationalities through 2025–2026.

Additional costs

Beyond the base fees, consider currency conversion costs if paying from overseas, potential agent fees if you use a migration agent, and the non-refundable nature of all charges. The Economic Times notes that visa application fees cover processing costs and are not returned under any circumstances.

The catch: the only confirmed fee change through 2026 is the Pacific nationals reduction — visitors from other countries face stable pricing unless New Zealand announces further adjustments.

What is the New Zealand visitor visa processing time?

Processing times don’t directly affect the fee amount, but they matter for planning — especially if your trip is soon. Fees must be paid when you apply, regardless of how long a decision takes.

Online application times

Online Visitor Visa applications typically process faster than paper applications. Immigration New Zealand publishes median decision times by visa type and application location on their website. Check the current benchmarks before submitting, particularly during peak travel seasons.

Factors affecting speed

• Completeness of application: Missing documents cause delays and may trigger requests for additional information
• Time of year: Processing times tend to lengthen around school holidays and summer months
• Location: Applications submitted from some countries may face longer queues

Where to check status

Once you’ve applied, you can track your application’s progress through your Immigration New Zealand account. The system updates as your application moves through assessment stages. If a decision takes longer than the published median, you can contact INZ through the online enquiry form.

The implication: applicants who pay third-party agents end up spending more without receiving faster processing — the official portal delivers the same result at the published fee.

How to apply for a NZ Visitor Visa

The application process for a New Zealand Visitor Visa follows a clear sequence. Here’s what to do step by step.

1. Determine your visa type: Check whether you need a full Visitor Visa or if the NZeTA (NZ$17–NZ$23) is sufficient for your passport and planned stay.
2. Gather required documents: Valid passport, proof of accommodation, return travel itinerary, evidence of funds for your stay, and passport-sized photos if required.
3. Create an Immigration New Zealand account: Register at immigration.govt.nz to access the online application portal.
4. Complete the application form: Fill in the visitor visa application, ensuring all fields match your passport details exactly.
5. Pay the fees: The system will prompt you to pay the NZD $341 visa fee plus NZD $100 IVL (or applicable exemptions). Payment is by credit or debit card.
6. Submit and wait: After submission, you’ll receive an application number. Monitor progress through your INZ account.
7. Receive your visa: If approved, your visa is electronically linked to your passport. Check the conditions carefully before travelling.

The pattern: applicants who pay third-party agents end up spending more without receiving faster processing — the official portal delivers the same result at the published fee.

Confirmed facts vs rumours

Here’s what we know for certain versus what remains uncertain about NZ visitor visa fees.

The pattern: New Zealand’s visa fee structure is transparent and well-documented for official sources, but speculative claims about future increases should be treated with caution. The Pacific nationals reduction is the only confirmed upcoming change.

The current charge of NZD $35.00 per eligible person is increasing to NZD $100.00 from 1 October 2024.

— Immigration New Zealand, Government Authority

Most international visitors coming to New Zealand will pay an IVL of NZD $100.

— Immigration New Zealand, Official Guidance

For travellers from most countries, the choice comes down to two numbers: either budget around NZD $441 total for a visitor visa, or around NZ$117 for an NZeTA. If you qualify for an exemption — particularly as a Pacific national or Australian citizen — the cost drops significantly, and from mid-2026, Pacific nationals will benefit from further reductions. The most reliable source for your exact fee is Immigration New Zealand’s online calculator, which accounts for your specific citizenship and application location.