When you pay for your NZeTA, part of the total is the IVL - the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Many travellers pay it without ever knowing what it is or why it exists. This guide explains the levy in plain terms: what it funds, how much it is, who has to pay, who is exempt, and how it fits into the overall cost of visiting New Zealand.
What the IVL Is
The IVL is a charge introduced by the New Zealand government that most international visitors pay when they obtain their eTA. It is not a separate process or a second application - it is collected together with your eTA fee in a single online payment. From the traveller's point of view, it is simply one line in the total you pay at checkout.
The levy reflects a straightforward idea: as visitor numbers grow, so does the pressure on New Zealand's natural environment and tourism facilities. The IVL asks visitors to contribute a modest amount toward maintaining the very things that drew them there.
What the Levy Funds
The money is directed into two broad areas. The first is conservation: protecting national parks, native forests, coastlines, lakes and the unique wildlife that make New Zealand extraordinary. The second is tourism infrastructure: the walking tracks, facilities, signage and visitor services that keep popular destinations accessible and pleasant to visit.
In effect, travellers help pay to preserve the landscapes and experiences they have come to enjoy - a small contribution that keeps the country's natural attractions thriving for future visitors.
How Much Is It, and How Is It Paid?
The IVL is a fixed government charge bundled into your eTA payment, so you never handle it separately. When you reach the payment step of the application, the total already includes both the processing fee and the IVL. You can see how the two combine on our visa fees page. There is nothing extra to arrange and nothing to pay on arrival.
You Pay It Once - Not Every Trip
This is the point most worth remembering: you pay the IVL once, and it stays effective for the entire 2-year validity of your eTA. If you visit New Zealand several times within that period, you do not pay it again. Because the eTA itself allows multiple entries over two years, a single IVL payment covers all of those visits. Frequent travellers, in particular, get good value from this structure.
Who Is Exempt from the IVL?
- Australian citizens - who do not need an eTA at all
- Australian permanent residents - who need an eTA but not the IVL
- Certain transit passengers and specific exempt categories
For the large majority of visa waiver travellers visiting for tourism, however, the IVL applies and is simply part of the standard eTA cost.
Why the IVL Matters for Your Trip
Beyond the mechanics, the IVL is worth understanding because it explains part of your eTA price and reassures you that the charge is legitimate and purposeful - not a hidden markup. It is a government levy with a clear conservation and tourism mandate, and it is the same for the private application services and government channels alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the eTA without paying the IVL?
Only if you are exempt (for example, an Australian permanent resident). For most tourists, the IVL is a mandatory part of the eTA payment.
Is the IVL refundable if I do not travel?
The IVL follows the same refund rules as your eTA fee - see our refund policy. Once an application is submitted for approval, the payment is non-refundable.
Do children pay the IVL?
Yes, where it applies. Because every traveller needs their own eTA, the levy is charged per traveller in the same way as the application fee.
The Bottom Line
The IVL is a modest, one-off contribution bundled into your eTA payment that helps keep New Zealand's environment and tourism experience world-class. See exactly how it fits into the total on our visa fees page, or apply for your eTA directly - it takes about 10 minutes.
How the IVL Fits Into Responsible Travel
Tourism levies are becoming more common worldwide as popular destinations seek to balance visitor numbers with protecting the places people come to see. New Zealand's IVL is a clear example: rather than a general tax, it is earmarked for conservation and tourism infrastructure, meaning your contribution goes directly toward maintaining the trails, parks and natural areas at the heart of any New Zealand trip.
Viewed that way, the IVL is less a fee and more a small act of responsible travel. The visitors who hike the Great Walks, cruise the fiords and photograph the glaciers are helping fund the upkeep and protection of exactly those experiences for the travellers who follow. It is a modest amount with a tangible purpose, and it is built into the eTA process so you never have to think about paying it separately.
More Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IVL the same for every traveller?
The IVL is a fixed government charge applied per traveller who is liable for it, bundled into the eTA payment. Exempt categories, such as Australian permanent residents, do not pay it.
Does the IVL replace other tourism charges?
The IVL is separate from any local charges you might encounter, such as activity or accommodation fees. It is specifically the national conservation and tourism levy collected with your eTA.
Where can I see the IVL amount before I pay?
The total shown at the payment step includes the IVL, and our visa fees page sets out how the charges combine.