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Skilled residence cost: free EOI, big fee after the invitation

The Skilled Migrant Category resident visa costs $6,450 from outside NZ, or $6,450 for someone applying in NZ. That is an INZ fee of $2,880 plus an immigration levy of $3,570, with no visitor levy. A listed Pacific passport lowers the total to $5,430. INZ charges nothing to submit the Expression of Interest.

Fees as at 7 November 2026, checked against INZ.

What INZ charges, by where you apply from

Skilled Residence: INZ fees for one adult
Where you apply fromApplication feeImmigration levyVisitor levy (IVL)INZ total
I'm in NZ $2,880$3,570$0$6,450
Overseas, Pacific passport $1,860$3,570$0$5,430
Overseas, other passport $2,880$3,570$0$6,450

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

INZ's Skilled Migrant Category page says an applicant submits an EOI showing they meet at least one pathway, and the visa fees are paid when the full application is submitted through the invitation to apply. Pathways are points-based, Skilled Work Experience, and Trades and Technician. INZ says the changes took effect on 24 August 2026 (Amendment Circular 2026-16).

Work out your own total

A partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger can be included, and the calculator treats the family as one application.

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

$6,450

+ extras (estimate)

$0

Tick any extras above to add them.

Real total (estimate)

$6,450

Compare two visas

Skilled Residence vs
Skilled Residence $6,450
Visitor visa $441

Skilled Residence costs $6,009 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 nurse already working in Tauranga on an AEWV, applying in NZ: $6,450 plus the checks below.
  2. A skilled worker offshore with a job offer from an accredited employer: $6,450.
  3. A couple with two children on one application. See the family total with extras. Anyone included aged 11 or older needs a chest X-ray and medical examination under INZ's health rules, so the extras multiply even though the fee does not.

Two related fee lines exist: Green List Straight to Residence at $6,450 and Residence from Work at $6,490 (made in NZ only). Both are in the fee list.

When you pay each part

Nothing is paid to submit the EOI. After an invitation to apply by email, the applicant has 4 months to apply, or must submit a new EOI. The fee and levy are paid on that application. Medical evidence must be less than 3 months old when it is submitted, and police certificates less than 6 months old when you apply.

Legal ways to pay less

  • One application covers a partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger, so family members do not add a second fee.
  • The Pacific band applies to listed passports, and the table above shows the difference.
  • INZ accepts English test results up to 2 years old, so a recent test already held may be enough.

Mistakes that cost money

  • Applying after the 4-month window closes. INZ then requires a new EOI.
  • An English test taken outside a test centre. INZ's circular says remote and at-home tests are not acceptable for the principal applicant.
  • Not counting English for the family. Partners and dependants aged 16 or older must meet the English requirement or buy English lessons, and the circular sets a charge for the tuition option, quoted under extras below.
  • Applying when over 55. INZ lists 55 or younger as a requirement.
  • A job that falls short: INZ requires at least 30 hours a week and contract length rules with an accredited employer.

Extras for this visa

INZ's health requirements have anyone included who is 11 or older needing a chest X-ray and medical examination, and INZ asks anyone 17 or older for police certificates from countries of citizenship and countries lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. Estimates:

  • Medical examination: $200–$290.
  • Chest X-ray: $130–$205 per adult.
  • Police certificates: $44–$72 each.
  • English test: $410–$505.
  • English tuition charge, only for a partner or child aged 16 or older who does not meet the English requirement: $0–$6,795 per person, depending on test results (circular).
  • Certified English translations: $62–$95 per document.

Quick answers

How much does the skilled residence visa cost?

$6,450 from outside NZ and $6,450 in NZ, as an INZ fee plus an immigration levy. Source: INZ Fees Guide.

Does the Expression of Interest cost anything?

No. INZ says there is no fee to submit an EOI, and the visa fees are paid when the full application is submitted. Source: INZ Skilled Migrant Category page.

Who can be included on the application?

A partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger, with documents proving the relationship. Source: INZ Skilled Migrant Category page.

What English score is needed?

INZ's circular sets an overall IELTS 6.5 or equivalent for the principal applicant, from an in-person test within the last 2 years, with other evidence such as citizenship also accepted. Source: Amendment Circular 2026-16.

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