How This Estimator Works

The NZ Visa Fees Estimator pulls from Immigration New Zealand’s official December 2025 fee schedule (INZ 1028). It uses your visa type, family composition, and whether you are applying from inside or outside New Zealand to calculate the official INZ fees. For Band C countries (which includes Nigeria), the offshore fee band applies.

The formula for the total official cost is:

Ancillary costs (medical exams, police clearance, NZQA assessments, and health insurance) are shown separately because they are third-party costs, not INZ fees. They vary significantly by individual. The estimator uses typical ranges based on commonly reported costs.

Table of Truth: Key NZ Visa Fees (2025-2026)

Why Nigerians Are Searching for NZ Visa Costs

Most people planning to relocate do not struggle with understanding the visa process as much as they struggle with getting the real numbers before committing. When you are converting NZD to Naira at rates that move daily, and the visa fee is non-refundable, getting the budget right before you start matters a lot.

For Nigerians, the main calculation challenge is that INZ charges multiple fees (application fee, immigration levy, IVL), and these stack differently depending on your visa type and family size. A single applicant for a student visa pays very differently from a family applying for SMC residence together. This tool makes that stacking transparent before you start.

Ancillary Costs That Are Not INZ Fees

The visa application fee is just one part of the total budget. Depending on your visa type, you may also need:

Medical Examination

Required for most residence visa applicants and for student visas if you are from a country with elevated TB risk (Nigeria qualifies). The examination must be done by an INZ-approved panel physician. Typical cost: NZD 300 to 500 per adult, less for children. A chest X-ray is included. Results are valid for 3 months from the date INZ receives them.

Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

Required from Nigeria (and any other country where you have lived for 5 or more years since age 17). The Nigerian Police Force PCC typically costs NGN 15,000 to 25,000 and takes 3 to 6 weeks. If you have lived in other countries, you may need PCCs from those countries too.

NZQA Qualification Assessment

Required if you are claiming SMC qualification points for a degree earned outside New Zealand, and your qualification is not on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment. Typical cost: NZD 550 to 825. Processing time: 6 to 12 weeks.

Health Insurance

Mandatory for student visa holders. Must cover at least NZD 100,000 in medical expenses and be in place from the start of your course. Typical annual cost: NZD 580 to 800 (providers include Studentsafe, Orbit Protect, Southern Cross). Work visa holders are not required to hold private health insurance but do not receive free public healthcare for the first two years.

English Language Test

IELTS Academic or General, PTE, OET, or TOEFL. Nigerian applicants usually need to sit an English test for most NZ visa categories. Cost: approximately NZD 350 to 420 per sitting (IELTS), or USD 195 to 210 for TOEFL. Results are valid for 2 years; 5 years for some applicants with occupational registration from August 2026.

Immigration Adviser Fees

Not mandatory but commonly used for complex applications. Licensed immigration advisers (MARN registered) in NZ typically charge NZD 1,000 to 5,000+ depending on visa type, complexity, and whether they assist from EOI through to lodgement. SMC and Green List applications tend to cost more. This tool does not include adviser fees as they vary entirely by provider.

Realistic Cost Scenarios for Nigerians

Scenario 1: Single applicant on student visa

Funmi applies for a Fee-Paying Student Visa to study at Massey University. INZ fee: approximately NZD 375. IVL: NZD 100. Health insurance: NZD 700/year. Medical examination (TB risk country): NZD 350. IELTS test: NZD 380. Police clearance: approx. NGN 20,000. Total pre-arrival cost estimate: NZD 1,905 (approximately NGN 895,350 at NZD/NGN 470). Then add the university’s proof-of-funds requirement: NZD 20,000+ for living expenses.

Scenario 2: Single skilled worker on AEWV

Dele has a job offer from an accredited NZ employer. AEWV fee: NZD 1,540. IVL: NZD 100. Medical exam: NZD 400. Police clearance from Nigeria and any other country of residence. IELTS or equivalent: NZD 380. Total pre-travel cost estimate: approximately NZD 2,420 to 2,600 (approx. NGN 1.1M to 1.2M). Settlement cash on arrival: budget at least NZD 5,000 to 8,000 for bond deposit, first rent, and initial expenses.

Scenario 3: Couple applying for SMC Resident Visa

Amara and Tunde apply together for the SMC Resident Visa. INZ fee (family): NZD 3,030. Immigration levy: NZD 3,420. Total INZ: NZD 6,450. Medical exams for both: NZD 700 to 900. Police clearances: 2 sets. NZQA assessment: NZD 700. Total application cost estimate: NZD 7,900 to 8,500 (approx. NGN 3.7M to 4M at current rates), excluding any immigration adviser fees. Note that this assumes they are already in NZ on AEWVs and this is their residence application stage.

Edge Cases and Common Questions

Do children pay the same fee as adults?

For residence visa applications, you include your partner and dependent children in one application with a single application fee. But the IVL is charged per person, including children, so a family of four pays four IVL charges. For work and student visas, partners and children must apply separately and each pays their own fee.

Can my employer pay the AEWV fee?

Yes. INZ does not restrict who pays the visa fee, and many accredited employers cover the AEWV cost for skilled hires. This is a negotiation point during the hiring process. However, the employer’s own costs (accreditation: NZD 740+, job check: NZD 735+) are always the employer’s responsibility and cannot be passed to you.

What is the immigration levy and is it separate from the visa fee?

Yes, they are separate. The immigration levy funds migrant settlement programs and immigration infrastructure. For residence applications, the levy is significant: NZD 3,420 per application (regardless of family size). For most temporary visas, the levy is NZD 41. The IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) of NZD 100 per person is a third charge, applicable to most visa types that involve entering New Zealand.

Are fees the same if I apply from inside NZ versus from Nigeria?

For some visa types, Band A (onshore/inside NZ) fees differ from Band C (offshore/Nigeria) fees. The estimator handles this distinction. Generally, the differences are modest, but it is worth checking for your specific visa type.

What happens if my visa is refused? Do I get a refund?

No. INZ does not refund application fees, immigration levies, or IVL charges if your application is declined, except in very rare special circumstances. This is a meaningful financial risk, especially for residence applications where the total fee can exceed NZD 6,000. Make sure your application is complete and your eligibility is solid before paying.

Is there a faster processing option for any NZ visas?

Some visa types have prioritised processing. For the SMC Resident Visa, applications from people earning twice the median wage or with occupational registration may be prioritised, with decisions in 4 to 7 weeks rather than 4+ months. For Green List Straight to Residence applications in Tier 1 occupations, processing is typically faster. There is no general premium processing payment option for most NZ visa types.

Assumptions Used in This Estimator

• Fee schedule: INZ December 2025 (INZ 1028)
• Country band: Band C (applies to Nigerian passport holders applying from outside NZ)
• IVL: NZD 100 per person where applicable
• SMC and Green List residence fees: NZD 6,450 total per family (fee + levy combined)
• Ancillary costs are estimates based on commonly reported costs; they are not INZ fees
• NGN conversion uses a user-editable rate; default NZD/NGN 470 is illustrative only
• Processing times are typical ranges, not guarantees; complex or incomplete applications take longer
• Partner and children fees apply where family members apply separately (most non-residence visas)
• Permanent Resident Visa (upgrade from Resident Visa after 2 years) costs approximately NZD 590

FAQ

How much does it cost to move to New Zealand from Nigeria in total?

The total relocation budget depends heavily on your visa type and family size. For a single skilled worker on an AEWV, the immediate immigration-related costs typically range from NZD 2,000 to 3,500 (visa fees, medicals, English test, PCC). Settlement costs on arrival add another NZD 5,000 to 10,000 for initial accommodation, transport, and living expenses. Residence application later adds NZD 6,450 to 8,500+. For the study route, annual costs can reach NZD 35,000 to 55,000 per year (tuition plus living).

Does the visa fee include the medical examination?

No. The medical examination is a separate, third-party cost paid to an INZ-approved panel physician. It is not included in the INZ visa application fee.

Can I pay the NZ visa fee in Naira?

No. INZ fees are paid in NZD via Visa or Mastercard through the online application system. Your Nigerian bank will apply its own exchange rate and may charge foreign transaction fees. Use a dollar card or a multi-currency card to control the conversion rate.

What is the cheapest NZ visa for Nigerians?

The visitor visa is the lowest INZ fee at around NZD 246 plus NZD 100 IVL. However, it does not provide work rights or a residence pathway. For work and residence, costs are higher. There is no “cheap” route to NZ permanent residence. The Student Visa is the lowest-fee work-pathway visa at approximately NZD 375, but the total cost of studying in NZ is substantial.

Does the AEWV fee include the employer’s costs?

No. Your NZD 1,540 AEWV fee is what you (or your employer on your behalf) pay. The employer separately pays for their accreditation (NZD 740+) and the job check (NZD 735+). These employer costs cannot be charged to you or deducted from your wages.