Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced a temporary reduction in visitor visa fees for eligible Pacific nationals, intended to support travel and strengthen New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific.
According to INZ, the reduced fees took effect from 1 June 2026 and will apply for 12 months. Under the change, the total cost falls to NZD $161 from NZD $216, a figure that includes the standard immigration levy of NZD $41.
INZ says the reduction applies only to people applying from outside New Zealand. Pacific visitors already pay lower fees than visitors from other countries and are not required to pay the International Visitor and Conservation Levy. By way of comparison, the total visitor visa cost for visitors from other countries is NZD $441.
The Parent Boost Visitor Visa and Group Visitor Visas are not covered by the reduction.
Why INZ has made the change
INZ describes the initiative as a reflection of New Zealand’s commitment to supporting its Pacific neighbours, saying it will make travel more accessible while keeping immigration settings financially sustainable. The 12-month period is intended to help INZ understand the impact on travel patterns, demand, costs, and immigration operations, which will in turn inform any long-term decisions.
According to INZ, the change builds on recent improvements, including longer default visa durations and the current trial of a visa-free pathway for Pacific travellers coming from Australia.
Which nationals are eligible
INZ says people visiting from the following Pacific nations will have reduced visitor visa fees:
- American Samoa
- the Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
INZ notes that people from the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau are New Zealand citizens and do not need visas. Citizens and permanent residents of Australia also travel visa-free under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.
For more information, see Further improvements to Pacific visitor visa settings, The Beehive.
