Immigration application fees are substantial and non-refundable in almost all circumstances. Once INZ has assessed an application — regardless of whether it's approved or declined — the fee is gone. Fee waivers exist, but they're narrow in scope and genuinely discretionary. This page sets realistic expectations about when waivers are available and how to apply for them.
What Fee Waivers Are and Aren't
A fee waiver is INZ's discretionary decision to not charge the standard application fee in circumstances where doing so would be inappropriate or disproportionate. The key word is discretionary — even if you meet the criteria, approval isn't guaranteed, and the bar is higher than most people expect.
Fee waivers are not available because:
- You find the fee expensive relative to your income
- Your application was declined and you want a refund
- You're reapplying after a previous unsuccessful application
- You're dissatisfied with INZ's service
Applications for waivers are assessed separately from the immigration application itself. Requesting a waiver does not prejudice your visa assessment — INZ handles them as separate processes.
When Fee Waivers Are Available
Refugee and Protected Person Status
The clearest category for fee waivers is for recognised refugees and protected persons. If you hold refugee status or have been formally recognised as a protected person in New Zealand, fee waivers may apply to:
- Subsequent residence visa applications flowing from that status
- Applications to bring immediate family members to New Zealand under the Refugee Family Support Category
- Some citizenship applications
You'll need to provide evidence of your refugee or protected person status with the waiver request.
Genuine Financial Hardship
INZ can waive fees in cases of genuine financial hardship, but the standard is "cannot pay" rather than "difficult to pay." The assessment looks at actual financial position — bank account balances, income, essential expenses, assets — not a general sense that the fees are high.
To make a financial hardship waiver case, you need to document your financial situation thoroughly: recent bank statements showing account balances, evidence of income (payslips, WINZ benefit confirmation), a clear breakdown of essential monthly expenses, and a written explanation of what has led to the hardship. A situation where you lost employment unexpectedly, had a major medical expense, or are escaping a difficult domestic situation is more likely to be viewed sympathetically than a general low income.
Financial hardship waivers are more likely to succeed for applications that are not merely desirable but genuinely necessary — for example, a visa renewal to maintain lawful status for someone who cannot depart New Zealand, rather than an optional upgrade to a better visa category.
Victims of Exploitation and Trafficking
Specific waiver provisions exist for people in exploitation situations. Victims of people trafficking and migrants who have been exploited in New Zealand can access pathways with modified fee arrangements. If you're in this situation, contact INZ or a community law centre — the process is handled differently from standard applications and specialist assistance is available.
INZ Error
If you need to reapply or submit an additional application because Immigration New Zealand made an error in processing your original application, the fees for that additional application may be waived. Document the error and request the waiver explicitly, explaining how INZ's error created the need for additional applications.
What Doesn't Qualify
A declined application does not entitle you to a refund. INZ charges fees for the assessment of your application, not for a positive outcome. If your application is declined, the fee is not recoverable.
General dissatisfaction with immigration costs or policies does not qualify. The fee structure is set by government regulation and INZ officers have no discretion to waive fees because an applicant objects to them.
Planning for a future application that you're hoping will be cheaper doesn't qualify. The waiver process is for current applications in qualifying circumstances, not a general fee reduction programme.
How to Request a Fee Waiver
Submit the waiver request at the same time as your application, not after. A waiver request made after the fee has been paid and processed is very unlikely to succeed.
In your request, be specific: state clearly that you're requesting a fee waiver, identify the grounds you're relying on (financial hardship, refugee status, or another ground), and attach all supporting documentation. An undocumented request is almost certain to be declined. If financial hardship is the ground, include bank statements for the last three months, evidence of income, and a written statement explaining your circumstances.
INZ typically decides waiver requests before proceeding with substantive assessment of the application. If the waiver is declined, you'll need to pay the fee to continue.
Partial Waivers and Alternatives
In some cases INZ may grant a partial waiver rather than a full one, reducing rather than eliminating the fee. If you can pay something but not the full amount, say so in your request and propose what you can contribute. This is more likely to succeed than asking for a full waiver while appearing to have some resources.
If a fee waiver isn't available to you, community organisations sometimes help with immigration fees for people in vulnerable situations. Refugee support organisations, community law centres, and some faith communities have funds that can assist in specific circumstances. This is worth exploring if your waiver request is declined and you're in genuine hardship.
Refunds
Immigration application fees are generally non-refundable once a decision has been made on the application. The main exceptions are where an application was withdrawn before any processing began (in which case partial refunds may apply — check the specific refund policy for your visa type), or where INZ made a clear error and did not assess the application appropriately.
If you lodged a duplicate application by mistake or lodged the wrong visa type before any processing occurred, contact INZ immediately to withdraw and request a refund. The chance of getting a fee back diminishes significantly once processing has started.
Frequently Asked Questions
I applied and was declined — can I get my fee back?
In almost all cases, no. The fee covers the cost of assessing your application, not the outcome. Refunds on declined applications are only possible in exceptional circumstances such as a clear INZ administrative error.
I'm on a benefit and can barely afford rent — does that qualify me for financial hardship?
Potentially, but you need to document the position formally. A benefit payment covering only essential living costs with no surplus for a visa fee, combined with no savings or assets, is a stronger case than a general low income with some savings available.
What if I need a fee waiver but can't put together all the documents in time before my current visa expires?
Lodge the application to protect your lawful status (using interim visa protection) and submit the waiver request with whatever documentation you have immediately, while continuing to gather the rest. Don't let your visa expire while waiting to put together a perfect waiver request.
Facing barriers to immigration due to cost? Find immigration support organisations or a licensed immigration adviser who can assess whether a fee waiver might apply to your situation.