New Zealand Visitor Visa Fees Rise for Pakistanis in 2026: What You Now Pay

Pakistani travellers planning a trip to New Zealand in 2026 are facing a higher bill before they even board a flight. Immigration New Zealand has confirmed a Visa Application Centre (VAC) service fee increase, effective 1 January 2026, that applies to applicants in Pakistan along with 25 other countries and territories. Combined with the government fees already in place, a New Zealand visitor visa now costs most Pakistani applicants well over NZD 500 per person before any travel expenses are counted.

Why Pakistanis need a full visitor visa, not an NZeTA

New Zealand’s electronic travel authority, the NZeTA, is only available to passport holders from visa-waiver countries. Pakistan is not on that list, so Pakistani nationals must apply for a full visitor visa through a Visa Application Centre (VAC), typically operated by VFS Global, rather than the cheaper online NZeTA route used by travellers from places like the UK, US, or Singapore.

What a visitor visa actually costs in 2026

According to Immigration New Zealand’s December 2025 Fees Guide, a visitor visa applied for from outside New Zealand falls under Band C (“Rest of World”), which covers Pakistan. The government-set charges break down as follows:

That brings the baseline government cost to roughly NZD 441 per applicant, before the VAC service fee is added. Once the VAC charge is included, most Pakistani applicants should expect a total closer to NZD 500–540 or more, though Immigration New Zealand has not published the exact revised VAC amount for Pakistan — applicants should confirm the current figure directly with VFS Global or Immigration New Zealand’s official fee tool before applying.

The International Visitor Levy applies whether you’re approved or not

The NZD 100 International Visitor Levy (IVL) is charged alongside the visa application and is non-refundable, even if the visa is declined. It funds conservation and tourism infrastructure across New Zealand and applies to most visitor visa holders, NZeTA holders, and several work and study visa categories. It does not apply to transit passengers passing through Auckland within 24 hours, or to holders of New Zealand or Australian resident visas.

Proof of funds and processing

Beyond visa fees, Immigration New Zealand expects visitors to show they can support themselves financially during the stay.

• NZD 1,000 per month of stay in general funds
• NZD 400 per month if accommodation is already paid for
• A valid return or onward ticket
• Bank statements available on request at check-in or arrival

Processing times vary by category, so applicants are advised to submit well ahead of travel dates rather than close to a planned departure, particularly during peak season.

Quick answers

Can Pakistanis use the NZeTA instead of a visitor visa? No. The NZeTA is limited to visa-waiver nationalities, and Pakistan is not currently on that list.

Is the VAC service fee the same everywhere? No. It’s set per country by the VAC operator (usually VFS Global) and was one of 26 countries and territories, including Pakistan, where it rose from 1 January 2026.

Is the visa fee refundable if I’m refused? The IVL and VAC service fee are generally non-refundable; refund rules for the core application fee should be confirmed with Immigration New Zealand directly.

Visa fees and levies change without notice. Always confirm current amounts on Immigration New Zealand’s official fee tool or with your Visa Application Centre before applying.