One of the first questions every traveller asks is simple: how much does the New Zealand eTA cost? The total is made up of two separate charges, paid together in a single online payment, and the amount depends on how quickly you need it processed. This guide breaks down exactly what you pay, what each part covers, who is exempt, and how to avoid paying more than you need to.
The Two Parts of Your eTA Fee
Your payment is made up of two components. The first is the application processing fee, which covers preparing, checking and submitting your request. The second is the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), a New Zealand government charge that most tourists must pay. Both are collected together at the final step of the online form - you will not receive two separate bills.
Because the two are bundled, the figure you see at checkout is the complete, all-in price. There are no hidden charges added later, and the approved eTA is delivered to your email at no extra cost.
Is the Fee per Person or per Application?
The fee is charged per traveller, not per application or per family. Every person needs their own eTA - including children and infants - so a family of four is charged four times, combined into one payment. This catches some travellers by surprise, so budget for the number of people in your group, not the number of bookings.
You can see the current per-traveller price for each processing speed on our visa fees page, which always reflects the live pricing.
What Is the IVL and Why Do You Pay It?
The IVL is not an arbitrary tax - it is reinvested into the things that make New Zealand worth the journey. It funds conservation of national parks, native forests, coastlines and wildlife, and it supports the tourism infrastructure that visitors depend on, from walking tracks and facilities to visitor services. In practical terms, travellers contribute directly to preserving the landscapes they have come to experience.
The important thing to know is that you pay the IVL once, and it stays effective for the full 2-year validity of your eTA. If you visit New Zealand several times in that window, you do not pay it again - it is covered by the single payment alongside your multiple-entry eTA.
Who Is Exempt from the Fees?
- Australian citizens do not need an eTA and pay nothing
- Australian permanent residents need an eTA but are exempt from the IVL
- Some transit passengers and specific categories may be exempt from the levy
Choosing a Processing Speed
You can select how quickly your application is handled. Standard processing is the most economical and is fine when you apply a few days ahead. Faster options exist for travellers who are closer to their departure date. Since most applications - even standard ones - are approved within about 10 minutes, the cheapest option suits the majority of travellers who plan ahead. Only reach for a faster tier if you are genuinely short on time.
How Do You Pay, and Is It Secure?
Payment is made online by credit or debit card as the last step of the application. Card details are handled through an encrypted, secure payment process and are not stored on our servers. Once the payment clears, your application is submitted for assessment and, in most cases, approved within minutes.
Refunds and Cancellations
If you need to cancel before your application has been submitted to the government, a $35 cancellation fee per application applies and the balance is refunded. Once an application has been submitted for approval, the fee is non-refundable because the service has already been performed. Refunds are processed within 20 business days. The complete rules are on our refund policy page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the price the same for children?
Yes. Every traveller is charged the same per-person fee regardless of age, because every traveller needs their own eTA.
Do I pay again for a second trip?
No. Within the 2-year validity, your eTA and IVL cover multiple entries. You only pay again when your eTA expires or you change passports.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. The price shown at checkout includes the application fee and the IVL. Your approved eTA is emailed to you at no extra charge.
The Bottom Line
The New Zealand eTA is a modest, all-inclusive cost that covers two years of multiple-entry travel. Check the current per-traveller price on our visa fees page, then apply for your eTA in about 10 minutes.
How to Get the Best Value
The eTA is already an affordable document, but a few habits help you get the most from what you pay. Because a single approval covers two years of multiple-entry travel, the cost effectively spreads across every trip you take in that window - so if you visit New Zealand more than once, your per-trip cost falls sharply. Frequent visitors and those with family in New Zealand benefit the most from this structure.
The other way to avoid overpaying is to apply early and choose standard processing. Faster tiers exist for genuine emergencies, but since most standard applications are approved within about ten minutes anyway, paying extra for speed is rarely necessary when you plan ahead. In short: apply in good time, pick the standard option, and let the two-year validity do the rest.
More Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be charged again when I re-enter New Zealand?
No. Both the application fee and the IVL are covered for the full two-year validity, across unlimited entries. You only pay again when your eTA expires or you change passports.
What payment methods are accepted?
Payment is made online by credit or debit card at the final step of the application, through a secure encrypted process.
Is the government fee separate from your service?
The price you pay is an all-inclusive total covering the application service and the government IVL, shown transparently before you confirm payment.