Refunds for visa applications that cannot be processed

After many months of discussions on the process to follow, Immigration New Zealand is agreeing to refund visa application fees for temporary visa applications that cannot be processed due to New Zealand’s border restrictions.

A much needed measure that will see thousands of people refunded their visa fees

Immigration refunds

Applications to be lapsed or returned, and refunded

If you applied for a temporary visa from offshore (outside New Zealand) before 10 August 2020 your application will be lapsed and the visa fees refunded.

INZ will also refund and return temporary visa applications received from people outside New Zealand after 10 August 2020.

An estimated 50,000 applications are eligible to be refunded, so we expect the process to take some time as Immigration New Zealand is working through the list of eligible applicants.

What do I need to do to get my visa fees refunded?

Immigration New Zealand will contact applicants or their representatives (such as licensed immigration advisers or lawyers) automatically as they make their way through the list. You do not have to ask for the refund.

Which application are eligible for a refund?

The vast majority of applications eligible for a refund are visitor, student and work visa applications.

The following criteria apply: the application must