Working holiday visa NZ cost: fees and the real total
A working holiday visa costs $770 for one person applying from outside NZ. That is an INZ fee of $215, an immigration levy of $455 and the visitor levy (IVL). The levy is the biggest part, so the headline fee understates what you pay.
Fees as at 7 November 2026, checked against INZ.
What INZ charges, by where you apply from
| Where you apply from | Application fee | Immigration levy | Visitor levy (IVL) | INZ total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I'm in NZ | $215 | $455 | $100 | $770 |
| Overseas, Pacific passport | Not available when applying from outside NZ | |||
| Overseas, other passport | $215 | $455 | $100 | $770 |
Source: Immigration New Zealand. Checked 7 November 2026. Fees aren't refunded if an application is declined.
The Pacific row says "not available" because the Fees Guide lists no band B fee for this scheme. The extension for people who do seasonal crop work costs $700: a fee of $245 plus the same $455 levy, with no IVL line (INZ).
Work out your own total
Each person applies separately, so add every friend or partner who is going.
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Full cost guides
Each guide has worked examples, when you pay what, and legal ways to pay less.
Every INZ fee, levy and IVL in one table
Three examples
- One person from a partner country, applying before they leave home: $770.
- Two friends travelling together. Each needs their own visa, so INZ costs double. See the two-person total.
- A worker who picks kiwifruit for 3 months and extends: the first visa, then $245 plus $455 for the extension.
When you pay each part
Fees are paid when you submit the online application (INZ). INZ asks you to show living funds, with money for a ticket out on top, and it may ask for proof of medical insurance afterwards. You cannot delay a working holiday visa. If you do not arrive within 12 months of issue, it expires, and the fee is gone.
Legal ways to pay less
- There is no cheaper band for this visa, so the savings are in avoiding a repeat. INZ allows one working holiday visa per person, even if the first was never used.
- Only one extension is allowed, so planning the 3 months of qualifying crop work first avoids paying the $455 levy for a visa that gets declined (INZ).
- Work in horticulture or viticulture counts toward the extension, while plant nursery and food processing jobs do not.
Mistakes that cost money
- Arriving late. A working holiday visa cannot be delayed or cancelled.
- A passport that expires too soon. INZ wants it valid at least 3 months after the visa ends.
- Asking for a second extension. INZ grants only one.
- Counting nursery or food processing work toward the 3 months.
- Dropping the medical insurance condition on the first visa. It carries into the extension.
Extras for this visa
INZ may ask for a chest X-ray, a medical exam, or both, dated within 3 months of receipt (INZ's health rules). Estimates:
- Chest X-ray, if asked: $130–$205 per adult.
- Medical examination, if asked: $200–$290.
- Passport-style photos: $25–$35 a set.
- Medical insurance, if the visa asks for it. Prices vary by insurer.
Quick answers
How much is the NZ working holiday visa?
$770 for one person from outside NZ, including the immigration levy and IVL. Source: INZ Fees Guide.
How long can I stay on a working holiday visa?
For the Japan scheme INZ says up to 12 months, and other countries have their own pages. Source: INZ Japan working holiday page.
Who can extend a working holiday visa?
Someone who holds a current working holiday visa and has done at least 3 months of seasonal horticulture or viticulture work. It adds up to 3 months. Source: INZ extension page.
Can I apply for a working holiday visa twice?
No. INZ says you cannot apply if you have had one before, even if you did not use it. Source: INZ working holiday page.
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