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Section 61 cost: the fee is paid once INZ approves in principle

A section 61 request is a request to the Minister of Immigration to grant a visa to someone who is unlawfully in NZ. If INZ approves one in principle, the temporary visa fee is $640 and the resident visa fee is $1,510. Both are available only when applying in NZ, with no band B or C and no immigration levy. INZ's page does not list a charge for sending the request itself.

Fees as at 7 November 2026, checked against INZ.

What INZ charges for a temporary visa under section 61

Temporary visa granted under section 61: INZ fees for one adult
Where you apply fromApplication feeImmigration levyVisitor levy (IVL)INZ total
I'm in NZ $640$0$0$640
Overseas, Pacific passport Only available when applying in NZ
Overseas, other passport Only available when applying in NZ

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

What INZ charges for a resident visa under section 61

Resident visa granted under section 61: INZ fees for one adult
Where you apply fromApplication feeImmigration levyVisitor levy (IVL)INZ total
I'm in NZ $1,510$0$0$1,510
Overseas, Pacific passport Only available when applying in NZ
Overseas, other passport Only available when applying in NZ

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

INZ's page on staying after a visa expires says a request is for special cases only and is not a way to stay unlawfully. INZ's section 61 page says the Minister has absolute discretion and a request cannot be made by anyone already subject to a deportation order.

Work out your own total

The calculator shows the message for people applying from overseas, because section 61 applies only to people in NZ.

Your INZ fee in 3 steps

Step 1

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

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

$640

+ extras (estimate)

$0

Tick any extras above to add them.

Real total (estimate)

$640

Compare two visas

Temporary visa granted under section 61 vs
Temporary visa granted under section 61 $640
Visitor visa $441

Temporary visa granted under section 61 costs $199 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 worker whose visa ended last month and who asks for a temporary visa, with INZ approving in principle: $640.
  2. Someone long settled in NZ asking for a resident visa instead: $1,510.
  3. Someone outside NZ looking for the same route. See the overseas result, which says it is only available when applying in NZ.

A different, cheaper step exists for a person who still holds a valid visa after a temporary visa decline. INZ's reconsideration page sets a 14-day deadline from the decline decision, and the fee is $220.

When you pay each part

INZ says a request is made by email to s61@mbie.govt.nz with passport details, the reasons for staying, personal circumstances, how the person would contribute to NZ, and the visa type and length wanted. If INZ approves in principle, the correct visa fee must be paid before the visa is issued, and INZ contacts the person for payment. INZ sets no timeframe for assessing a request. The Fees Guide says that if INZ declines an application or request, it will not refund the fee and levies.

Legal ways to pay less

  • Applying for a new visa before the old one expires. INZ says a visa cannot be extended, and it suggests applying at least 1 month before expiry.
  • Reconsideration is an alternative only for someone who applied in NZ, still holds a valid visa and meets the 14-day deadline, and it carries a lower fee than a section 61 grant.
  • INZ says leaving voluntarily before a deportation order is served may keep a future visa possible.

Mistakes that cost money

  • Treating a request as stopping deportation. INZ says it does not, and a deportation order can still be issued while the request is considered.
  • Asking after a deportation order. INZ says a section 61 visa cannot be granted then.
  • Holding a limited, interim or transit visa and expecting a new temporary work, student or visitor visa. INZ says that is not possible.
  • Assuming the visa type or length asked for will be granted. INZ has no obligation to give either, or reasons.
  • Sending credit card details in the email. INZ's page says not to include them.

Extras for this visa

INZ's page asks for a copy of the passport's personal details page and any supporting evidence, with no checklist of medicals or certificates. The larger costs are not fees. INZ says someone without a visa cannot work or study, is generally not eligible for publicly funded health services, and may find deportation affects future applications. Staying unlawfully for 42 days or more may result in a ban on returning.

Quick answers

How much does a section 61 request cost?

If INZ approves in principle, $640 for a temporary visa or $1,510 for a resident visa. Source: INZ Fees Guide and INZ page on staying after a visa expires.

Can a section 61 request be made from overseas?

No. Both fees are for people in NZ only, and INZ describes the request as one for people unlawfully in NZ. Source: INZ Fees Guide and INZ section 61 page.

Does a request stop deportation?

No. INZ says making a request does not automatically stop deportation. Source: INZ page on staying after a visa expires.

What if INZ refuses?

INZ says the person must leave immediately, cannot appeal, but may seek High Court judicial review of the process. Source: INZ page on staying after a visa expires.

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