New Zealand
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: government fee breakdown
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
Source auto-reconfirmed 1 August 2026 by the daily automated check (figures unchanged since last review).
New Zealand publishes NZD 6,450 as the application cost for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, with no separate EOI submission fee.
These are the fees paid to the New Zealand government. You pay these directly as part of your application. Fees for dependants, priority services, or higher salary bands may change the total.
How much does the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa cost in New Zealand?
New Zealand publishes NZD 6,450 as the application cost for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, with no separate EOI submission fee.
Verified against Immigration New Zealand - Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa on 1 July 2026.
Headline total
NZ$6,450
Single principal applicant
No changes recorded for this figure since 1 July 2026.
Currency
NZD (New Zealand dollar)
Last checked
1 July 2026
Itemised fees
Worked example
Single principal applicant — NZ$6,450
- NZD 0 expression of interest
- NZD 6,450 resident-visa application fee
How to read these fees
The NZ$6,450 headline covers single principal applicant. Of the 2 components listed above, 2 are mandatory. The single biggest mandatory line is Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa application at NZ$6,450.
Bringing family changes the total — see the dependant section below. Treat the figure as a planning estimate rather than a quote: confirm each line on the official source linked below on the day you pay, because these fees are revised regularly.
Dependant fees
The SMC resident-visa application can include eligible partner and dependent children; check the current Immigration New Zealand fee schedule for family composition effects.
Why fees change
Immigration New Zealand periodically revises visa charges; the route page now publishes the headline SMC cost directly.
Primary source
Immigration New Zealand - Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/skilled-migrant-category-resident-visa/
Cite or reuse this dataset
This figure is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Cite the Visa Atlas page for the compiled, dated dataset, and cite the official source for the underlying government rule.
Suggested citation
Visa Atlas, "Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa fee schedule", https://visaatlas.org/fees/new-zealand/skilled-migrant-category. Last verified 1 July 2026.
- JSON endpoint
- https://visaatlas.org/api/public/fees
Primary source (1)
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa cost in government fees?
New Zealand publishes NZD 6,450 as the application cost for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, with no separate EOI submission fee. The worked example assumes single principal applicant, totalling NZ$6,450. Fees for dependants, priority service, or higher-tier salary bands change the total — see the itemised table above.
Are these fees refundable if my application is refused?
Most application fees are non-refundable once the government begins processing. Some jurisdictions refund specific components (e.g. Canada's Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds if refused; UK IHS refunds if the visa is refused). Check the linked primary source for the route you are applying to.
How often do these fees change?
Immigration New Zealand periodically revises visa charges; the route page now publishes the headline SMC cost directly.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
The SMC resident-visa application can include eligible partner and dependent children; check the current Immigration New Zealand fee schedule for family composition effects.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, and FAQs for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.
Processing time
How long the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa takes from application to decision.
Compare: Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) fees
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa — New Zealand's main route for skilled workers with a job offer from an accredited employer.
Compare: Post-Study Work Visa fees
Open work visa for international graduates of eligible New Zealand qualifications — 1 to 3 years depending on qualification level and location.
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.