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Student visa NZ cost: fees, levies and the real total

A student visa costs $850 for one adult applying from outside NZ, and $850 when applying in NZ. With a Pacific passport it is $535. That is an INZ fee of $485, an immigration levy of $265 and, for most passports, the visitor levy (IVL).

Fees as at 7 November 2026, checked against INZ.

What INZ charges, by where you apply from

Student visa: INZ fees for one adult
Where you apply fromApplication feeImmigration levyVisitor levy (IVL)INZ total
I'm in NZ $485$265$100$850
Overseas, Pacific passport $270$265$0$535
Overseas, other passport $485$265$100$850

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

INZ marks the levy and IVL on this line of the Fees Guide with an asterisk, so they do not apply to every student. The dependent child category does not pay the IVL (INZ's IVL page). The Fees Guide also has a separate limited visa for students: $850 from outside NZ, with partners and children on one application.

Work out your own total

Change the numbers of students and where you apply from. Every student pays their own fee and levy.

Your INZ fee in 3 steps

Step 1

Step 2 Where are you right now?
Step 3 People applying for this visa

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

$850

+ extras (estimate)

$0

Tick any extras above to add them.

Real total (estimate)

$850

Compare two visas

Student visa vs
Student visa $850
Visitor visa $441

Student visa costs $409 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. One adult already in NZ, applying here: $850. Nothing else is due to INZ, but a medical or police certificate may come first.
  2. Two friends from India starting the same course. Each applies and pays, so the INZ cost doubles. See the two-student total.
  3. A student from Samoa applying from home: $535. The lower fee band applies and no IVL is added.

When you pay each part

You upload your documents and pay when you submit the online application, according to INZ's student visa page. Tuition is a separate payment. INZ's funds rules ask for one year or one programme paid in full, whichever is shorter. Applying from outside NZ, you can use an approval in principle (AIP) and pay tuition after it. Usual AIP deadlines are 10 days, or 15 for the Funds Transfer Scheme.

Living-cost funds are shown to INZ rather than paid to it. The calculator lists the yearly and monthly minimums under "Not a fee, but plan for it".

Legal ways to pay less

  • Pacific passport holders applying from outside NZ pay the lower band B fee ($270 against $485) and no IVL.
  • A conditional offer of place can start an application from outside NZ, but INZ needs the unconditional offer before approval, so a paid-up place avoids a second round.
  • Dependants apply on their own. INZ says a student cannot include a partner or children, so each person has their own application and costs.
  • No waiver applies to the student line for most countries, and the Fees Guide has a waiver table listing the countries where one exists.

Mistakes that cost money

  • Paying tuition with a bank-transfer screenshot or an education agent receipt. INZ does not accept either as proof.
  • Funds evidence dated before the tuition payment. INZ wants it to cover both tuition and living costs, dated after you paid.
  • Missing the AIP deadline. INZ says this will likely lead to a decline.
  • Identity details that differ from the passport. They delay the application and can end in a decline.
  • Applying late. INZ says to apply at least 3 months before you travel.

Extras for this visa

Full fee-paying students do not usually need a medical certificate. A chest X-ray is needed for stays over 6 months from some countries (INZ's health rules), and police certificates are needed from age 17 for 24 months or more in NZ (INZ's police certificate rules). Estimates:

  • Chest X-ray, if INZ asks: $130–$205 per adult.
  • Full medical, if INZ asks: $200–$290.
  • Police certificates: $44–$72 each, adults only.
  • Certified translations of non-English documents: $62–$95 per document.
  • Health and travel insurance is a visa condition from course start until the visa expires. Prices vary by insurer.

Quick answers

How much is an NZ student visa?

$850 for one adult from outside NZ, counting the INZ fee, immigration levy and IVL. In NZ the table shows $850. Source: INZ Fees Guide.

Can my partner and children go on my student visa?

No. INZ says you cannot include them, but they can apply for their own visas based on their relationship to you. Source: INZ student visa page.

Is the student visa fee refunded if I am declined?

The Fees Guide says INZ will not refund the fee and levies if an application is declined, and INZ's IVL page says the same for the IVL. Sources: Fees Guide; INZ's IVL page.

Do I pay tuition before I apply?

Usually, yes. From outside NZ you can ask for an approval in principle first and pay tuition after it. Source: INZ funds rules.

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