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Post-study work visa NZ cost: fees and the real total

A post-study work visa costs $1,670 for one graduate applying in NZ. Most of that is the immigration levy of $1,350, with an INZ fee of $320 on top. Applying from outside NZ with a Pacific passport is $1,620.

Fees as at 7 November 2026, checked against INZ.

What INZ charges, by where you apply from

Post-study work visa: INZ fees for one adult
Where you apply fromApplication feeImmigration levyVisitor levy (IVL)INZ total
I'm in NZ $320$1,350$0$1,670
Overseas, Pacific passport $270$1,350$0$1,620
Overseas, other passport $320$1,350$0$1,670

Source: Immigration New Zealand. Checked 7 November 2026. Fees aren't refunded if an application is declined.

Being re-checked: the IVL cell for this visa is blank in the Fees Guide. INZ's IVL page does not list it, so the table adds none. INZ's own cost line is on its post-study work page. The levy is the same in every band, so only the INZ fee moves. Separately, a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa, with 6 months of open work rights for some graduates, opens for applications on 16 November 2026 (INZ). It is a different visa and is not priced here.

Work out your own total

Each graduate applies and pays on their own.

Your INZ fee in 3 steps

Step 1

Step 2 Where are you right now?
Step 3 Who's included?

This visa covers the applicant only. A partner or children apply for their own visas, at their own cost:

Add the extras (optional)

Not paid to INZ, but most people need some of these. Tick what applies to you. These are estimates, each with its source.

INZ fee

$1,670

+ extras (estimate)

$0

Tick any extras above to add them.

Real total (estimate)

$1,670

Compare two visas

Post-study work visa vs
Post-study work visa $1,670
Visitor visa $441

Post-study work visa costs $1,229 more.

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Full cost guides

Each guide has worked examples, when you pay what, and legal ways to pay less.

Visitor visa INZ fee from $161Parent Boost visitor visa INZ fee from $2,450Working holiday visa INZ fee from $770NZeTA for a traveller, via INZ website INZ fee from $23Student visa INZ fee from $535Post-study work visa INZ fee from $1,620Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) INZ fee from $1,540Specific purpose work visa (Fees Guide: Work visa - other) INZ fee from $1,310Limited visa, employer (includes the Recognised Seasonal Employer worker visa) INZ fee from $285Partnership work visa INZ fee from $1,630Family Category resident visa (partner and family) INZ fee from $4,810Dependent Child resident visa INZ fee from $2,760Parent Category resident visa INZ fee from $4,810Skilled Residence INZ fee from $5,430Green List Straight to Residence INZ fee from $5,430Active Investor Plus Category INZ fee from $21,590Permanent resident visa INZ fee from $260Second or subsequent resident visa INZ fee from $250Variation of conditions on a temporary visa INZ fee from $240Variation of travel conditions on a resident visa INZ fee from $260Transfer of a visa label to a new passport INZ fee from $170Confirmation of immigration status INZ fee from $170Temporary visa granted under section 61 INZ fee from $640Resident visa granted under section 61 INZ fee from $1,510
Every INZ fee, levy and IVL in one table
Visa or requestIn NZ (band A)Pacific passport, overseas (band B)Other passport, overseas (band C)Immigration levyVisitor levy (IVL)
Visit
Visitor visa $300$120$300 $41 $100 per person
Visitor visa for a partner or dependent child of a New Zealander $300$120$300 $41 No
Parent Boost visitor visa $1,940$1,390$1,940 $1,060 $100 per person
Temporary Retirement Category visitor visa $7,750$4,720$7,750 $41 $100 per person
Group visitor visa (per person) per person $86$63$86 $85 per person $100 per person
Group visitor visa, Approved Destination Status (China), per person per person $55 $85 per person $100 per person
Working holiday visa per person $215$215 $455 $100 per person
Working holidaymaker extension per person $245$245 $455 No
NZeTA for a traveller, via INZ website per person $23$23$23 $0 $100 per person
NZeTA for a traveller, via mobile app per person $17$17$17 $0 $100 per person
Transit NZeTA, via INZ website per person $23$23$23 $0 No
Transit NZeTA, via mobile app per person $17$17$17 $0 No
Crew NZeTA per person $17$17$17 $0 No
Transit visa $235$195$235 $0 No
Study
Student visa per person $485$270$485 $265 $100 per person
Limited visa, student $485$270$485 $265 $100 per person
Post-study work visa $320$270$320 $1,350 No
Work
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) $480$480$480 $1,060 No
Specific purpose work visa (Fees Guide: Work visa - other) $295$250$295 $1,060 $100 per person
Limited visa, employer (includes the Recognised Seasonal Employer worker visa) $325$285$325 $0 No
Limited visa, other $325$195$325 $80 $100 per person
Work to Residence visa per person $570$570$570 $1,060 No
Business Investor work visa per person $11,320$5,190$11,320 $1,060 No
Entrepreneur work visa per person $11,320$5,190$11,320 $1,060 No
Approval in principle to recruit foreign crew of fishing vessels $6,610 $0 No
Request for supplementary seasonal employment approval in principle $335 $0 No
Recognised Seasonal Employer status $1,040 $0 No
Agreement to recruit under Recognised Seasonal Employer instructions $280 $0 No
Entertainment Industry accreditation, first year's registration $2,310 $0 No
Entertainment Industry accreditation, second and later years' registration $650 $0 No
Employer accreditation, standard $775 $0 No
Employer accreditation, upgrade from standard to high volume $505 $0 No
Employer accreditation, high volume $1,280 $0 No
Employer accreditation, triangular employment $4,060 $0 No
Reconsideration of employer accreditation application $250 $0 No
Job Check $735 $0 No
Reconsideration of Job Check $250 $0 No
Partner & family
Partnership work visa $570$570$570 $1,060 No
Family Category resident visa (partner and family) $1,940$1,390$1,940 $3,420 No
Dependent Child resident visa per person $1,830$1,360$1,830 $1,400 No
Parent Category resident visa $1,940$1,390$1,940 $3,420 No
Parent Retirement Category resident visa $9,430$5,140$9,430 $3,420 No
Expression of Interest, Parent Category (online) $450$435$450 $0 No
Expression of Interest, Parent Category (hard copy) $575$555$575 $0 No
Residence
Skilled Residence $2,880$1,860$2,880 $3,570 No
Green List Straight to Residence $2,880$1,860$2,880 $3,570 No
Residence from Work (includes Green List work to residence) $2,920 $3,570 No
Business Investor Category resident visa $11,320$5,610$11,320 $3,570 No
Entrepreneur Residence Category $11,320$5,610$11,320 $3,570 No
Active Investor Plus Category $12,070$6,190$12,070 $15,400 No
Employees of Relocating Business Category $1,940$1,390$1,940 $3,570 No
Pitcairn Islanders resident visa $1,940$1,390$1,940 $0 No
Samoan Quota Scheme $820$800 $0 No
Pacific Access Category $1,300$1,280 $0 No
Pacific Access Category registration, first year $89$86$89 $0 No
Pacific Access Category registration, second and later years $89$49$89 $0 No
Permanent resident visa $315$260$315 $0 No
Second or subsequent resident visa $275$250$275 $0 No
Changes & requests
Variation of conditions on a temporary visa $325$240$325 $0 No
Variation of travel conditions on a resident visa $320$260$320 $0 No
Transfer of a visa label to a new passport $225$170$225 $0 No
Confirmation of immigration status $225$170$225 $0 No
First endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship $225$185$225 $0 No
Second or later endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship $225$140$225 $0 No
Reconsideration of a decision to decline a temporary visa $220 $0 No
Special direction $260$255$260 $0 No
Call-out fee for processing outside normal working hours $375$365$375 $0 No
Temporary visa granted under section 61 $640 $0 No
Resident visa granted under section 61 $1,510 $0 No

Three examples

  1. A graduate finishing a master's in NZ and applying in NZ: $1,670.
  2. Two classmates who graduate in the same year. Both pay in full, because the visa is charged per person. See one graduate's total, which each of them pays.
  3. A graduate on a Pacific passport applying from outside NZ: $1,620, where the lower INZ fee is the only saving.

When you pay each part

You apply and pay online. INZ says the application is generally due within 3 months after your student visa expires, or 6 months for a doctoral degree (INZ). INZ also wants bank statements in your name showing you can support yourself.

Legal ways to pay less

  • A partner can apply for a work visa and children can apply for student visas, each with their own fees (INZ).
  • INZ says you can only have this visa once, so one complete application matters.
  • Applying inside the window avoids a costlier route later.

Mistakes that cost money

  • Applying after the deadline. The window is counted from the end of the student visa.
  • Holding a qualification that is not eligible. INZ requires non-degree qualifications to be on its eligible list.
  • Police certificates older than 6 months when you apply.
  • Bank statements that are not in the applicant's name.
  • Identity details that do not match the passport exactly.

Extras for this visa

INZ asks for police certificates from age 17 when total time in NZ is 24 months or more (INZ's police certificate rules), and may ask for a chest X-ray or medical exam (INZ's health rules). Estimates:

  • Police certificates: $44–$72 each.
  • Chest X-ray, if asked: $130–$205 per adult.
  • Medical examination, if asked: $200–$290.
  • Certified translations of non-English certificates: $62–$95 per document.

Quick answers

How much is the post-study work visa?

$1,670 for one adult applying in NZ. Most of it is the immigration levy. Source: INZ Fees Guide.

How long is the post-study work visa?

INZ says up to 3 years, depending on your qualification and how long you studied. Source: INZ post-study work page.

When do I have to apply?

Generally within 3 months after your student visa expires, and 6 months for a doctoral degree. Source: INZ post-study work page.

Can my partner and children come with me?

Your partner can apply for a work visa and your children can apply for student visas. Source: INZ post-study work page.

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