New Zealand Cuts Visitor Visa Fee for 12 Countries to NZD $161 for One Year

Travellers from Pacific nations have some wonderful news. New Zealand recently said that it will reduce the price of visitor visas for visitors from a number of Pacific countries.

According to Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) release, the discounted visa fees will go into effect on June 1, 2026, and they will last for an entire year.

The move aims to make travel easier while strengthening ties between New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours.

Lower Visitor Visa Fee Announced

Under the temporary change, eligible Pacific travellers will pay NZD $161 for a visitor visa instead of the current NZD $216.

This price already includes the NZD $41 immigration levy.

The reduced fee only applies to people applying from outside New Zealand. Anyone submitting a visa application from inside the country will still pay the normal fee.

Pacific Travellers Already Pay Less Than Others

Even before this change, travellers from Pacific countries were paying lower visa fees compared to most international visitors.

Another key difference is that Pacific applicants do not pay the International Visitor and Conservation Levy (IVL).

To put the difference into perspective:

Applicant Type	Total Visitor Visa Cost
Pacific nationals	NZD $161 (temporary fee)
Most other international travellers	NZD $441

The large gap shows how New Zealand is trying to keep travel easier for visitors from nearby Pacific countries.

Some Visa Types Are Not Included

Not all visa categories will benefit from the reduced fee. The following visas are not part of the temporary discount:

Applicants in these categories will continue to pay the standard charges.

Why New Zealand Is Introducing This Change

The government says the goal is simple: encourage travel from the Pacific and maintain strong regional connections.

The 12-month trial period will help immigration officials study several things, including:

• Changes in travel demand
• Visitor patterns from Pacific countries
• Administrative and processing costs

The results could help shape future visa policies for Pacific travellers.

Other Recent Travel Changes for Pacific Visitors

This visa fee reduction is part of a broader effort to make travel easier between New Zealand and the Pacific. Recent improvements include:

• Longer default visitor visa durations
• A trial visa-free travel pathway for Pacific travellers who are already in Australia

These steps show New Zealand’s continued focus on regional mobility and closer connections with Pacific nations.

Countries Eligible for the Reduced Visa Fee

Travellers from the following Pacific nations will qualify for the lower visitor visa fee:

1. American Samoa
2. Federated States of Micronesia
3. Fiji
4. Kiribati
5. Nauru
6. Palau
7. Papua New Guinea
8. Republic of the Marshall Islands
9. Samoa
10. Solomon Islands
11. Tonga
12. Tuvalu
13. Vanuatu

What This Means for Travellers

For many Pacific families, the change makes visiting New Zealand a little easier and more affordable. The reduced fee may encourage more tourism, family visits, and cultural exchanges between New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours over the coming year.