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NZ Visa Fees Rise for Indians from 2026
18 Dec
Summary
- New Zealand visa service fees will increase starting January 1, 2026.
- The fee hike applies only to select third-party Visa Application Centres.
- Indian applicants for student and work visas are significantly impacted.
Effective January 1, 2026, individuals applying for New Zealand visas from India and 25 other countries will encounter higher service fees at select Visa Application Centres (VACs). This adjustment, announced by Immigration New Zealand on December 15, 2025, pertains solely to the service charges levied by third-party vendors for tasks like biometric capture and document submission. The official visa application fees payable directly to Immigration New Zealand remain unchanged.
The rationale behind this fee revision is to address escalating overseas operational expenditures and inflation impacting the delivery of crucial visa support services. Immigration New Zealand has specified that this change is limited to applicants utilizing VACs in designated countries and will not affect those applying entirely online or in unlisted locations. Indian applicants, frequently using VACs for student and temporary work visas, constitute a significant user group impacted by this policy.
While Immigration New Zealand has not released the precise updated fee schedule, current VAC service charges range from NZD 50 to NZD 150. Advisory firms anticipate a potential increase of 10% to 20% for applicants in affected regions, including India. This move aligns with similar fee adjustments made by countries like the UK and Australia, underscoring the growing importance of early financial planning for international visa applicants targeting upcoming academic or work seasons.
