International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL)

If you've looked into an NZeTA or visitor visa for New Zealand, you've probably noticed an extra charge on top of the application fee — the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, or IVL. Here's what it is, what it costs, who doesn't have to pay it, and where the money actually goes.

What Is the IVL?

The IVL is a one-off government levy charged to most international visitors travelling to New Zealand. It was introduced in 2019 to help fund the conservation and tourism infrastructure that visitors use — walking tracks, public toilets, car parks, and site maintenance in popular natural areas — rather than leaving the full cost to New Zealand taxpayers.

It's administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE), and you pay it as part of your NZeTA or visitor visa application, not separately at the border.

How Much Does the IVL Cost?

The current IVL rate is NZD $100 per visitor, effective from 1 October 2024, when the government raised it from its previous lower rate. This is charged once per NZeTA or visa application — since an NZeTA is valid for up to two years and covers multiple visits, you generally don't pay it again for each individual trip within that period, as long as your NZeTA remains valid.

Because levy rates are set by government policy and can change, it's worth confirming the current amount on immigration.govt.nz or mbie.govt.nz before you apply.

Who Doesn't Have to Pay the IVL?

Several groups are exempt, including:

• New Zealand citizens and residence class visa holders

• Australian citizens and permanent residents

• Visitors from most Pacific Island nations with special travel arrangements with New Zealand

• Travellers on transit visas or transit NZeTAs (passing through without formally entering)

• Holders of certain diplomatic, military, medical, or humanitarian visas

• Travellers heading to Antarctica under the Antarctic Treaty

If you're unsure whether you qualify for an exemption, the official immigration.govt.nz eligibility checker will confirm this based on your passport and travel purpose.

What Does the IVL Actually Fund?

According to MBIE, IVL revenue is directed toward conservation, tourism infrastructure, and related initiatives that support sustainable tourism growth. In practice, this has included projects like improving visitor experience and protection planning at Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) and infrastructure upgrades at Arthur's Pass, alongside broader maintenance of the facilities tourists rely on across popular natural sites.

The rationale behind the levy, as stated by government ministers when the rate was raised, is that international tourism creates real pressure on regional infrastructure and conservation land, and the levy is intended to ensure visitors contribute toward that cost rather than it falling solely on local communities and ratepayers.

When and How Do You Pay It?

You don't pay the IVL as a separate transaction. It's bundled into the same payment as your NZeTA or visitor visa application fee, and your application won't be processed until it's paid. There's no separate desk or charge at the airport — if you've completed your NZeTA or visa correctly, the IVL is already taken care of.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the IVL the same as the NZeTA fee? No. The NZeTA processing fee (NZD $17 via app or $23 via website) and the IVL (NZD $100) are two separate charges, paid together in a single transaction when you apply.

Do I need to pay the IVL every time I visit New Zealand? Generally no, as long as you're travelling on a still-valid NZeTA that already included the levy. A new NZeTA application after expiry would require paying it again.

Are children required to pay the IVL? In most cases, yes — the levy applies per traveller regardless of age, though it's worth checking current exemptions for infants or young children on the official site, as rules can be updated.

Can I get a refund if my trip is cancelled? Refunds are only available in limited circumstances. Check the refund conditions on immigration.govt.nz before assuming a refund will apply.

Does the IVL apply to cruise ship passengers? Yes, cruise passengers requiring an NZeTA generally pay the full IVL, even for a short day visit ashore.

Budgeting for Entry Costs

When planning your trip, it's worth including the IVL alongside your NZeTA or visa fee as a fixed pre-departure cost — for most visitors that's roughly NZD $117–$123 all up for an NZeTA application. It's a small part of an overall travel budget, but worth factoring in early rather than discovering it at the payment screen.

Once your entry paperwork and levy are sorted, the next practical question is usually how you'll get from Auckland Airport to your accommodation. Hopon's private airport transfers are a straightforward option for a first arrival — no shuttle timetables to work out, and a fixed pickup that matches your flight.

In Short

The IVL is a fixed NZD $100 charge most international visitors pay alongside their NZeTA or visa fee, funding conservation and tourism infrastructure across the country. Confirm current rates and exemptions on the official Immigration New Zealand or MBIE websites before you apply, since levy amounts can change.