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Specific purpose work visa NZ cost: fees and the real total

A specific purpose work visa costs $1,455 for one person applying from outside NZ, in the standard case. That is an INZ fee of $295, an immigration levy of $1,060 and the visitor levy (IVL). We are re-checking this line, so read the note before relying on it.

Fees as at 7 November 2026, checked against INZ.

What INZ charges, by where you apply from

Specific purpose work visa (Fees Guide: Work visa - other): INZ fees for one adult
Where you apply fromApplication feeImmigration levyVisitor levy (IVL)INZ total
I'm in NZ $295$1,060$100$1,455
Overseas, Pacific passport $250$1,060$0$1,310
Overseas, other passport $295$1,060$100$1,455

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

Being re-checked. The Fees Guide calls this line "Work visa - other" and marks the levy and IVL with an asterisk, because they do not apply to every work visa it covers. INZ shows its own cost line on its specific purpose work page, and INZ's IVL page lists specific purpose work visas as paying the IVL. The exact amount for a visa type can differ, and INZ's fee finder shows it.

Work out your own total

The calculator shows the standard case. Each person applies alone, because INZ does not allow partners or children on this visa.

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

$1,455

+ extras (estimate)

$0

Tick any extras above to add them.

Real total (estimate)

$1,455

Compare two visas

Specific purpose work visa (Fees Guide: Work visa - other) vs
Specific purpose work visa (Fees Guide: Work visa - other) $1,455
Visitor visa $441

Specific purpose work visa (Fees Guide: Work visa - other) costs $1,014 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 sports coach coming for a season, applying from outside NZ: $1,455.
  2. Two staff on short-term secondment from the same company. Each applies and pays. See one person's total, which each of them pays.
  3. A contractor on a Pacific passport applying from outside NZ: $1,310, with a lower fee and no IVL.

When you pay each part

Online applicants pay the fees while completing the application, and paper applicants send the fee and levy with their forms (INZ). Any money for your ticket out of NZ has to be separate from your living funds. Healthcare in NZ is paid by you or your sponsor, and INZ recommends full medical insurance.

Legal ways to pay less

  • Holders of a NZ resident visa, an Australian resident visa or an APEC business travel card are exempt from the IVL, as are business visitor visa holders (INZ's IVL page).
  • Pacific passport holders applying from outside NZ pay the lower band B fee and no IVL.
  • INZ points entertainers to the Entertainers Work Visa and Chinese tour guides to the China Special Work Visa, so choosing the right visa avoids paying for the wrong one.

Mistakes that cost money

  • Leaving out the Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1113) where it is required, for example for secondees and sports coaches.
  • Working for a different employer or at a different location from the one on the visa.
  • Leaving NZ without a multiple-entry travel condition. The visa expires.
  • Not arriving within 12 months of the visa being issued.
  • Identity details that differ from the passport, which delay or sink the application.

Extras for this visa

INZ may ask for a chest X-ray or medical exam. A chest X-ray is not normally needed for stays under 6 months or a medical certificate for stays under 12 months (INZ). Estimates:

  • Chest X-ray, for stays over 6 months from some countries: $130–$205 per adult.
  • Medical examination, if asked: $200–$290.
  • Certified translations of non-English documents: $62–$95 per document.
  • Passport-style photos: $25–$35 a set.

Quick answers

How much is a specific purpose work visa?

$1,455 in the standard case from outside NZ, but we are re-checking the line. Source: INZ Fees Guide.

Who is the visa for?

People working in NZ for a specific purpose or event, such as secondees, examiners, independent professionals and sports coaches. Source: INZ specific purpose work page.

Can my partner and children be on the application?

No. They can apply for their own visas. Source: INZ specific purpose work page.

Is the IVL charged?

Yes for this visa, unless you are in an exempt group such as Pacific passport holders. Source: INZ's IVL page.

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