If you are planning to apply for a New Zealand Visa, here’s something to keep in mind. From January 1, 2026, New Zealand will increase the service fees charged by Visa Application Centres in several countries. Immigration New Zealand said the rise is due to higher operating costs and inflation.
Fee Applies Only to VAC Services
The important thing to understand is that this change applies only to the service fee at VACs. It does not change the main visa application fee you pay to Immigration New Zealand. The service fee simply covers the handling of documents and basic support at centres like VFS Global.
Travellers Urged to Check Latest Fees
Authorities explained that the fee adjustment is needed to keep services running smoothly after recent system upgrades.
Visa applicants are advised to check the updated service fee before applying. The easiest way to do this is through Immigration New Zealand’s official website or the VAC site for their country.
Update Fees for New Zealand Visa
From January 1, 2026, New Zealand Visa Application Centres (VACs) will raise their service fees across 26 countries, including India. While exact charges vary by location, the increase is expected to reflect rising operational costs.
Travellers are advised to check the latest fee on VFS Global or Immigration New Zealand’s official site before applying.
| Country | Current VAC Service Fee* | Updated VAC Service Fee (from Jan 1, 2026)* | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 1,250 | INR 1,400 | +INR 150 |
| Bangladesh | BDT 1,600 | BDT 1,850 | +BDT 250 |
| Nepal & Bhutan | NPR 1,600 | NPR 1,800 | +NPR 200 |
| Sri Lanka | LKR 5,000 | LKR 5,800 | +LKR 800 |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 120 | AED 135 | +AED 15 |
| United Kingdom | GBP 19 | GBP 22 | +GBP 3 |
| United States | USD 25 | USD 28 | +USD 3 |
Countries Where the Service Fee Will Increase
The revised fee will apply in many places across Asia, the Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Some of the main countries include:
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- Fiji
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Japan
- Nepal and Bhutan
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Samoa
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
Technical Issues Also Reported
New Zealand’s immigration system recently had a technical upgrade. Due to this, some applicants may not be able to view certain letters or documents online. The department stated that they are working on resolving the issue and apologised for the disruption.
What Travellers Should Do
Those planning to apply for a New Zealand visa soon should:
- Review the new VAC service fee before applying.
- Check the official INZ or VFS Global websites for the latest updates.
- Allow extra time for any online issues caused by system upgrades.
With the new fees taking effect on January 1, 2026, early planning and double-checking official information can help travellers avoid surprises during the application process.
Staying updated through official sources will help you avoid delays and keep your application on track.
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