Reviewed by John Hu, founder of John Hu Migration Consulting and Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0746141).
Planning a move to New Zealand means budgeting for official application fees as well as the costs around them. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) currently lists the Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa from NZ$27,470, the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa from NZ$6,450, and no charge for submitting an SMC Expression of Interest (EOI). The final fee depends on the application and the fee schedule in force when you apply.
1. Official application fees at a glance
| Visa or application | INZ listed fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa | From NZ$27,470 | Starting fee; the final amount depends on the application. |
| Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa | From NZ$6,450 | Submitting an EOI is free; the resident visa application has a fee. |
| Business Investor Work Visa (BIV) | From NZ$12,380 | A later Business Investor Resident Visa application is from NZ$14,890. |
These are INZ starting fees and do not include medical examinations, document translation or third-party services. Check the current official pages for the AIP Visa, SMC Resident Visa and Business Investor Work Visa before lodging an application.
2. AIP: the largest budget item is investment capital, not the fee
AIP investment funds are qualifying capital that must be invested and held for the required period. They are not an application fee, but they are a major funding commitment to plan for. The two investment categories currently have different minimum amounts, holding periods and residence-day requirements:
| Requirement | Growth | Balanced |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | NZ$5,000,000 | NZ$10,000,000 |
| Investment period | 36 months | 60 months |
| Minimum time in New Zealand | 21 days | 105 days |
Under the Growth category, investing additional eligible Growth investments (excluding philanthropy) can reduce the required time in New Zealand by 14 days for each additional NZ$1,000,000, up to a 42-day reduction. Balanced applicants may also reduce their residence-day requirement by investing an additional NZ$1,000,000 to NZ$3,000,000 in eligible direct or managed Growth investments. At total investments of NZ$11,000,000, NZ$12,000,000 and NZ$13,000,000, the corresponding minimum is 91, 77 and 63 days respectively. After Approval in Principle, funds must be transferred into the investment within six months. See INZ’s AIP requirements for full details.
Budget note: AIP investment capital is subject to the visa’s investment and holding rules. It should not be treated as a government fee or as a guaranteed investment return.
3. SMC: a lower application fee, with eligibility requirements
The SMC Resident Visa starts from NZ$6,450, and the EOI is free. Applicants generally need to meet the applicable requirements, including:
- Be aged 55 or younger when applying;
- Have a qualifying job or job offer with an accredited employer and meet the relevant work and pay requirements;
- Qualify through one of the available SMC pathways, such as points, skilled work experience, or a trades/technician pathway; and
- Meet the applicable English-language, health and character requirements.
Eligibility depends on the role, pay, work experience and rules in force at the time of application. Read the official SMC Resident Visa requirements or learn more about JHM’s New Zealand skilled migration service.
4. Additional costs applicants often overlook
| Cost item | What to check when budgeting |
|---|---|
| Medical examinations and chest X-rays | Whether they are required, which examinations apply, and which family members need them can depend on the visa, age, intended stay, tuberculosis risk and INZ instructions. See INZ’s health and X-ray guidance. |
| Police certificates | Generally relevant to applicants aged 17 or over; certificates are usually required to be issued within six months before lodgement. Check the INZ police certificate guidance for your case. |
| English evidence | SMC applicants may need to meet English requirements. AIP has no English-language requirement. Confirm accepted tests and validity rules before booking. |
| Skills assessment or employer-related costs | May depend on the occupation, pathway and circumstances. |
| Immigration advice, translation and notarisation | Costs vary by provider, case and document volume; INZ does not set one standard price for these services. |
AIP applications may include an eligible partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger, subject to the visa rules. Required evidence, medical examinations and related expenses vary by family and case. The source document’s fixed US-dollar add-on amounts for family members could not be verified against INZ’s official fee pages, so they are not presented here as official fees. Ask service providers for written estimates.
5. How to build a New Zealand immigration budget
- Compare routes against your circumstances: AIP may be relevant if you have the required investment capital; SMC may suit eligible skilled workers; the BIV has standard and fast-track investment options at NZ$1,000,000 or NZ$2,000,000, subject to separate business and visa requirements. The capital amount alone does not establish eligibility.
- Separate three budget buckets: official application fees, investment and living funds, and third-party service costs.
- Allow time for supporting documents: police certificates, medicals and other evidence may need to be renewed if they expire or no longer meet INZ requirements.
Explore our New Zealand immigration hub, AIP investor visa information and Business Investor Work Visa overview.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee to submit an SMC EOI?
INZ says there is no charge to submit an SMC EOI. The subsequent resident visa application has a fee.
Is NZ$27,470 the fixed AIP application fee?
No. INZ lists the fee from NZ$27,470. The amount payable depends on the application and the official fee schedule when you lodge.
Does the AIP Visa require an English test?
No English-language requirement applies to AIP. SMC applicants must meet the English requirements that apply to their case.
Do family members have a fixed additional fee in US dollars?
INZ fees and family-member requirements depend on the visa and the application. Use the official fee pages for government charges and budget separately for any required evidence, medicals and translation.
Important: INZ fees and requirements may change. This article was checked against official information in October 2026. Outcomes and processing times vary according to the applicant’s circumstances, source of funds, documents and INZ requirements. This information is general only, is not legal advice, and does not guarantee approval.
Would you like to compare the options against your family’s circumstances and budget? Contact John Hu Migration Consulting for an individual assessment.
Hotline: (852) 3568 1436 WhatsApp: (852) 9178 8523 Free assessment and contact
Official sources: Active Investor Plus Visa, Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, Business Investor Work Visa, Business Investor Resident Visa, health requirements, and police certificates. Checked October 2026.