Understanding the full cost of a New Zealand visa goes beyond the application fee. Medical examinations, police certificates, qualification assessments, and professional assistance all add to the total investment required.
This guide breaks down all costs by visa type, helping you budget accurately for your immigration journey.
Visa Application Fees
Immigration New Zealand charges fees for processing visa applications. Fees vary by visa type and are subject to change.
Work Visa Fees
| Visa Type | Online Fee (NZD) |
|---|---|
| AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) | $750 |
| Post-Study Work Visa | $700 |
| Working Holiday Visa | $455 (varies by country) |
| Specific Purpose Work Visa | $700 |
| Essential Skills (legacy) | $750 |
Residence Visa Fees
| Visa Type | Fee (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Skilled Migrant Category - EOI | $680 |
| Skilled Migrant Category - Application | $4,290 |
| Partner Resident Visa | $2,750 |
| Parent Resident Visa - EOI | $530 |
| Parent Resident Visa - Application | $5,470 |
| Investor 1 (Active Investor Plus) | $4,745 |
| Investor 2 | $4,745 |
| Entrepreneur Resident Visa | $3,310 |
Student Visa Fees
| Visa Type | Fee (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Student Visa | $395 |
| Pathway Student Visa | $395 |
| Exchange Student Visa | $265 |
Visitor Visa Fees
| Visa Type | Fee (NZD) |
|---|---|
| NZeTA (Electronic Travel Authority) | $17-23 |
| International Visitor Levy (IVL) | $100 |
| Visitor Visa (most countries) | $246 |
| Visitor Visa (some countries) | Free |
Family Visa Fees
| Visa Type | Fee (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Partner Work Visa | $740 |
| Dependent Child Visa | $340-1,350 |
| Parent Visitor Visa | $246 |
Employer-Related Fees
| Fee Type | Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Standard Accreditation | $740 |
| High-Volume Accreditation | $1,980 |
| Accreditation Renewal (Standard) | $740 |
| Accreditation Renewal (High-Volume) | $1,520 |
| Job Check | $610 |
Additional Required Costs
Beyond application fees, several additional costs are typically required:
Medical Examinations
Most visa categories require health assessments from approved panel physicians.
| Examination Type | Approximate Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|
| General Medical Certificate | $200-400 |
| Chest X-ray | $150-250 |
| Full Medical (General + X-ray) | $350-600 |
| Limited Medical | $150-250 |
Costs vary by provider and location. Panel physicians set their own fees.
Police Certificates
For visas requiring character evidence, police certificates from countries where you've lived are needed.
| Country | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | Free-$45 |
| United Kingdom | £18-50 |
| United States (FBI) | US$18+ |
| Australia | AUD$42+ |
| India | Varies by state |
| South Africa | ZAR 100+ |
| Philippines | PHP 150-500 |
Processing times and fees vary. Plan ahead as some countries take weeks.
Qualification Assessments
If your qualifications require verification:
| Assessment Type | Approximate Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|
| NZQA International Qualification Assessment | $500-800 |
| Professional Body Registration | Varies widely |
| Skills Assessment (specific occupations) | $400-1,000+ |
English Language Tests
If you need to prove English proficiency:
| Test | Approximate Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | $400-450 |
| IELTS General Training | $400-450 |
| PTE Academic | $350-395 |
| TOEFL iBT | US$245 |
| Cambridge English | Varies |
Translation and Certification
For documents not in English:
| Service | Approximate Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Document translation (per page) | $30-75 |
| Certified translation (per page) | $50-100 |
| Notarization | $20-50 per document |
Total Cost Examples
Here are realistic total cost estimates for common visa pathways:
AEWV (Work Visa) - Total Costs
| Cost Item | Amount (NZD) |
|---|---|
| AEWV Application Fee | $750 |
| Medical Examination | $400 |
| Police Certificate (1 country) | $50 |
| Total (applicant) | ~$1,200 |
Note: Employer accreditation and Job Check fees are typically employer costs.
Skilled Migrant Category - Total Costs
| Cost Item | Amount (NZD) |
|---|---|
| EOI Submission | $680 |
| SMC Application | $4,290 |
| Medical Examination | $500 |
| Police Certificates (2 countries) | $150 |
| IELTS Test | $430 |
| Qualification Assessment | $650 |
| Total | ~$6,700 |
Student Visa - Total Costs
| Cost Item | Amount (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Student Visa Application | $395 |
| Medical (if required) | $400 |
| Police Certificate (if staying 24+ months) | $50 |
| Total (excluding tuition/living) | ~$450-850 |
Partnership Resident Visa - Total Costs
| Cost Item | Amount (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Partner Resident Visa Application | $2,750 |
| Medical Examination | $500 |
| Police Certificates | $100 |
| Total | ~$3,350 |
Immigration Adviser Fees
Professional assistance adds to costs but can be valuable:
| Service | Typical Fee Range (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | Free-$250 |
| Work Visa Application | $1,500-3,500 |
| Residence Application | $3,000-7,000+ |
| Complex Cases | $5,000-15,000+ |
| Employer Accreditation | $2,000-5,000 |
Fees vary significantly based on:
- Adviser experience and reputation
- Case complexity
- Services included
- Location
Always get clear fee quotes upfront and understand what's included.
Payment and Refund Information
Payment Methods
Immigration NZ typically accepts:
- Credit/debit cards (online applications)
- Bank transfers (some circumstances)
Refund Policy
Generally:
- No refund if application assessed (even if declined)
- Partial refund possible for withdrawn applications before assessment
- Check INZ's current refund policy
Tips for Managing Costs
1. Budget Comprehensively
Include all costs in your budget:
- Application fees
- Medical and police costs
- Professional assistance
- Courier/certification costs
2. Plan Timing
Some costs have timing implications:
- Medical results valid for 3-6 months
- Police certificates expire
- IELTS results valid for 2 years
3. Compare Provider Costs
Shop around for:
- Panel physician fees
- Translation services
- Immigration adviser quotes
4. Avoid Rework
Getting applications right the first time saves:
- Reapplication fees
- Repeat medical costs
- Extended timeline costs
Questions about visa costs? Find a licensed immigration adviser who can provide accurate quotes and help you budget for your immigration journey.