New Zealand to Hike Visa Service Fees in India and 25 Other Countries from January 2026

Immigration New Zealand has said service fees charged by some Visa Application Centres (VACs) will increase from January 1, 2026, as per news reports.  

The revision will apply to applicants in India and 25 other countries. The department attributed the change to higher operating costs and inflation affecting overseas visa processing services. 

Visa Fee Unchanged 

The increase applies only to the service fee charged by Visa Application Centres. It does not affect the visa application fee paid directly to Immigration New Zealand.  

The revision follows recent system upgrades and brings out the cost of continuing VAC operations across multiple locations. 

Countries Affected by the Revision 

India is among the countries where VAC service fees will rise from January 2026. Other locations include Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Several Pacific island nations are also included, taking the total to 26 countries and territories. 

Fee Verification Advised 

Applicants have been advised to check the applicable service fee before submitting visa applications. Immigration New Zealand said updated charges can be confirmed using its online fee-checking tool or through the relevant Visa Application Centre websites, including those operated by VFS Global.  

The revised fees will apply only from January 1, 2026. 

Read More: TCS, Infosys Face Impact of $1,00,000 H-1B Visa Fee Under Trump Administration! 

Conclusion 

The VAC service fee increase scheduled for January 2026 will add to application-related costs for New Zealand visas in India and other listed countries. The visa application fee remains unchanged, while applicants are expected to verify service charges through official channels before applying. 

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