Bilateral fee waivers
Certain nationalities are exempt from visa fees and immigration levy under bilateral agreements, depending on visa type and whether the application is made onshore or offshore.
- Status
- active
- Updated
- 2026-04-25
- Also known as
- bilateral fee waiver
- Sources
- A6.5
At a glance
New Zealand has bilateral fee waiver agreements with several countries. Citizens of these countries may be exempt from paying the visa fee for specific types of visas, endorsements, or travel condition variations. However, the waivers do not cover the electronic travel authority (ETA), English language fee, transfer fee, or the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). The principal applicant covered by a waiver is also exempt from the immigration levy. [A6.5]
Definition
Under policy A6.5, New Zealand gives effect to bilateral fee waiver agreements with Austria, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Turkey, and the United States. These agreements waive the visa fee for certain visa types and application scenarios. The fee waivers do not extend to the ETA, English language fee, transfer fee, or the IVL. The immigration levy is waived for the principal applicant. [A6.5]
Application in decisions
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) applies the following fee waivers by country and visa type. Unless specified otherwise, all other visa types, endorsements, or variations of travel conditions remain subject to the usual fees and levies. [A6.5]
Austria
- Offshore applications for a residence class visa or visitor visa are fee‑waived.
- Onshore and offshore applications for a variation of travel conditions on a resident visa, permanent resident visa, second or subsequent resident visa, endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship, or variation of travel conditions on a visitor visa are fee‑waived. [A6.5]
Finland
- Onshore and offshore applications for any type of visa, endorsement or variation of travel conditions (except transfers). [A6.5]
Greece
- Offshore applications for a visitor visa.
- Onshore and offshore applications for a variation of travel conditions on a resident visa, permanent resident visa, second or subsequent resident visa, endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship, or variation of travel conditions on a visitor visa. [A6.5]
Iceland
- Onshore and offshore applications for any type of visa, endorsement or variation of travel conditions (except transfers). [A6.5]
Israel
- Offshore applications for a visitor visa.
- Onshore and offshore applications for a variation of travel conditions on a resident visa, permanent resident visa, second or subsequent resident visa, endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship, or variation of travel conditions on a visitor visa. [A6.5]
Italy
- Offshore applications for a visitor visa.
- Onshore and offshore applications for a variation of travel conditions on a resident visa, permanent resident visa, second or subsequent resident visa, endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship, or variation of travel conditions on a visitor visa. [A6.5]
Japan
- Offshore applications for any type of visa, endorsement or travel condition (except transfers).
- Onshore and offshore applications for a variation of travel conditions on a resident visa, permanent resident visa, second or subsequent resident visa, endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship, or variation of travel conditions on a temporary visa. [A6.5]
Mexico
- Offshore applications for a visitor visa, work visa, or student visa. [A6.5]
Philippines
- Offshore applications for a visitor visa (for a visit not exceeding 59 days) or a student visa (for a visit not exceeding 59 days).
- Onshore applications for a variation of travel conditions on a visitor visa (where the visa does not exceed 59 days) or on a student visa (where the visa does not exceed 59 days). [A6.5]
Turkey
- Offshore applications for a visitor visa.
- Onshore and offshore applications for a variation of travel conditions on a resident visa, permanent resident visa, second or subsequent resident visa, endorsement indicating New Zealand citizenship, or variation of travel conditions on a visitor visa. [A6.5]
United States
- Offshore applications for a visitor visa, work visa, or student visa.
- Onshore applications for a variation of travel conditions on a visitor visa, work visa, or student visa. [A6.5]
Interpretation & edge cases
- Nationality vs. residence: The waiver applies only to citizens of the listed countries, not to permanent residents or other nationals.
- Location of application: The distinction between “offshore” and “onshore” is critical. An offshore application qualifies only for the offshore-specific waivers; an onshore application qualifies only for the onshore-specific waivers listed.
- Excluded charges: Even when a visa fee is waived, applicants remain liable for the electronic travel authority (ETA), English language fee, transfer fee, and International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), unless another exemption applies (e.g., diplomatic exemptions under A6.1.1).
- Transfers: Finland, Iceland, and Japan except “transfers” from the fee waiver. A transfer fee remains payable for the transfer of a visa label from one passport to another.
- Interaction with other exemptions: If an applicant qualifies both under a bilateral agreement and another fee‑exemption policy (e.g., diplomatic passport holder), INZ may apply the broader waiver. The bilateral waiver does not remove the need to meet other visa requirements.
- Duration limits (Philippines): For the Philippines, the waiver only covers visits of 59 days or fewer. If a visa with a longer stay is applied for, standard fees apply. [A6.5]