New Zealand
Student Visa: government fee breakdown
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
New Zealand lists the Fee Paying Student Visa from NZD 850, with living-cost funds of NZD 20,000 per year required on top for tertiary students.
These are the fees paid to the New Zealand government. For sponsored routes, the payer varies by country and component; use the item notes and primary source to confirm whether the sponsor, applicant, or both pay. Fees for dependants, priority services, or higher salary bands may change the total.
How much does the Student Visa cost in New Zealand?
New Zealand lists the Fee Paying Student Visa from NZD 850, with living-cost funds of NZD 20,000 per year required on top for tertiary students.
Verified against Immigration New Zealand - Fee Paying Student Visa on 1 July 2026.
Headline total
NZ$850
Single student applicant
Currency
NZD (New Zealand dollar)
Last checked
1 July 2026
Itemised fees
| Fee component | Amount | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
Fee Paying Student Visa application# INZ publishes the cost as "From NZD $850" on the route page; the total can vary by nationality and where you apply. Applications are online only. | NZ$850 | Yes |
Worked example
Single student applicant — NZ$850
- NZD 850 student visa application fee
How to read these fees
The NZ$850 headline covers single student applicant. Of the 1 component listed above, 1 is mandatory. The single biggest mandatory line is Fee Paying Student Visa application at NZ$850.
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
Partners and children of students apply on their own visa routes where eligible; support rules depend on the study level.
Why fees change
INZ revised student visa charges in October 2024 and updated work-rights settings in November 2025; check the route page before applying.
Primary source
Immigration New Zealand - Fee Paying Student Visa
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/fee-paying-student-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, "Student Visa fee schedule", https://visaatlas.org/fees/new-zealand/student-visa-nz. Last verified 1 July 2026.
- JSON endpoint
- https://visaatlas.org/api/public/fees
Primary source
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Student Visa cost in government fees?
New Zealand lists the Fee Paying Student Visa from NZD 850, with living-cost funds of NZD 20,000 per year required on top for tertiary students. The worked example assumes single student applicant, totalling NZ$850. 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?
INZ revised student visa charges in October 2024 and updated work-rights settings in November 2025; check the route page before applying.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
Partners and children of students apply on their own visa routes where eligible; support rules depend on the study level.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, and FAQs for the Student Visa.
Processing time
How long the Student Visa takes from application to decision.
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.
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.
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.