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If you are planning to join your partner in New Zealand, one of the first things you will want to know is how much the New Zealand Spouse Visa will cost. In 2025 there have been clear changes to fees, so this guide explains the main costs, extra charges to expect, and simple steps to apply. I’ll use plain English and give friendly, practical advice so you won’t be left confused.

What people mean by “New Zealand Spouse Visa”

When people say New Zealand Spouse Visa they usually mean a visa based on a genuine relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident. That includes:

• Partner of a New Zealander Resident visa (path to residence)
  
• Partner Work visa (lets you work while your relationship is recognised)
  
• Partner Visitor visa (for short stays to be with your partner)

All these routes are often called a “spouse visa” in everyday talk, even though the official pages use words like “partner” or “partner of a New Zealander”. Check the official pages for exact names.

The big fee changes that affect 2025

The New Zealand government increased many visa fees from October 1, 2024. Those increases are important for anyone applying in 2025. For example, the Partner (Work) visa fee rose to about NZD $1,630 for many standard applications. The partnership-based resident visa fee also jumped significantly (many sites report around NZD $5,360 for a partnership resident application after the change). These increases were published and discussed by immigration advisers and legal services. Always check the official fee page before you pay.

Why this matters: if you planned your budget from older fee lists, you may find the actual cost is much higher now. This is true for the New Zealand Spouse Visa routes that lead to work rights or permanent residency.

Typical fees and extra costs to plan for

Below are the main money items you should expect when applying for a New Zealand Spouse Visa:

1. Application fee – This is the official fee you pay to Immigration New Zealand. For partner work visas it is around NZD $1,630 (after the 2024 increase). Partnership resident visas are much higher (reports show about NZD $5,360). Always confirm exact numbers on the INZ fee page.
   
2. Medicals and x-rays – You must get medical and chest x-ray checks from approved doctors. These are paid separately.
   
3. Police certificates – You need police checks from countries where you lived. These usually have a fee.
   
4. Translation, notarisation, and document fees – If your papers are not in English, translating and certifying them costs extra.
   
5. Advisor or lawyer fees – If you use a licensed immigration adviser, add their charge.
   
6. Travel costs and possible IVL/NZeTA – If you enter New Zealand before your main visa is granted, you might need an NZeTA and the International Visitor Levy (IVL). You can Submit NZeTA Online and later check your NZeTA Visa Status on the official site. These are separate from the spouse visa fees.

These extras can add several hundred or even a few thousand NZD to your total budget. Plan for them early so you are not surprised.

How to apply and pay (simple steps)

1. Decide the right partner route – Choose visitor, work, or resident partner visa based on how long you plan to stay and your relationship history.
   
2. Gather documents early – Proof of relationship, ID pages, police checks, and medical reports take time.
   
3. Apply online if possible – Most partner visa types let you apply online through Immigration New Zealand. The site also shows how to pay the fee.
   
4. If you plan a short visit first – You may need to Submit NZeTA Online before you travel and later check your NZeTA Visa Status. These steps do not replace the spouse visa application; they only allow short-term entry for eligible travellers.
   

Practical tips to avoid problems

• Always use official INZ pages for the exact fee today. Government pages are the source of truth.
  
• Start medicals and police checks early — they often take weeks.
  
• Keep clear evidence of your relationship — photos, messages, joint bills, and witness statements help prove a real partnership.
  
• Save receipts and payment confirmations — they help if anything goes wrong.
  
• If budget is tight, plan for the resident application fee — the partnership resident route is now much more expensive than before.

Final thoughts

Applying for a New Zealand Spouse Visa is a life-changing step. The official application fee is only part of the cost. In 2025, the government fee increases mean you should check the current amounts on Immigration New Zealand before you apply, and also plan for medicals, police checks, and any travel paperwork such as an NZeTA. If you would like, I can make a simple table with the likely fees for the Partner Visitor, Partner Work, and Partnership Resident visa (with sources) so you can save or share it. Would you like that?