Migration agent fees: what you should know before paying

There is no official schedule of migration agent fees in New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand does not set, cap or publish what licensed advisers may charge, so the amount you pay is a matter between you and the adviser you choose. What you can verify is whether the person you are dealing with is licensed, what services they will actually provide, and whether their fee is reasonable for the work involved. Before you pay anything, confirm the adviser’s licence status on the Immigration Advisers Authority register and get a written agreement setting out the fee and what it covers.

Who can charge you for migration advice

In New Zealand, only licensed immigration advisers can give you advice or help with a visa application for a fee. This is a regulated role, not a commercial brand. The licence is issued by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA), which is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

There are two main categories of licensed adviser. A licensed immigration adviser is an individual who has been assessed as competent and holds a current licence. A licensed immigration adviser company is a business that employs licensed advisers and is itself licensed by the IAA. Both must display their licence number in their advertising and on their website.

There is one important exception. Lawyers who are employed by a law firm and hold a current practising certificate may provide immigration advice without holding a separate IAA licence. This is because their professional body, the New Zealand Law Society, regulates their conduct. If you use a lawyer for immigration work, you should confirm they hold a current practising certificate.

You should never pay a fee to someone who is not licensed or exempt. Unlicensed advisers operate outside the regulatory system and you have no recourse through the IAA if something goes wrong.

What the fee is actually for

A migration agent’s fee is for the professional service of preparing and managing your application. This can include assessing your eligibility, advising on the best visa pathway, gathering and checking your documents, completing the application forms, submitting the application, and communicating with Immigration New Zealand on your behalf.

The scope of work can vary significantly between applications. A straightforward visitor visa application may involve little more than form-filling and document checking. A partner visa or a skilled residence application may require detailed evidence of your relationship or your qualifications, work experience and job offer. The more complex the application, the more time the adviser will spend on it, and the higher the fee is likely to be.

Some advisers charge a flat fee for a defined service. Others charge an hourly rate. Some charge a percentage of the outcome, although this is less common and may be restricted by the adviser’s professional code. You should ask for a written quote before you engage anyone.

The fee is separate from government charges. Immigration New Zealand charges its own fees for visa applications, and these are payable to the government, not to your adviser. Your adviser may collect the government fee on your behalf and pay it to Immigration New Zealand, but it is not part of their professional fee. You should always ask for a breakdown that shows the adviser’s fee separately from any government charges.

Typical fee ranges and what affects them

Because no official fee schedule exists, any specific figure you see online is either an individual adviser’s published rate or an estimate from a third party. Neither is authoritative. The table below sets out the factors that influence what an adviser might charge, based on the nature of the application.

Application type	Typical complexity	Factors that affect the fee
Visitor visa	Low	Standard form, minimal evidence, quick turnaround
Student visa	Low to medium	Offer of place, proof of funds, accommodation arrangements
Working holiday visa	Low	Age and nationality eligibility, simple online application
Partner visa	Medium to high	Relationship evidence, joint finances, living arrangements
Skilled residence	High	Points assessment, job offer, qualifications, work experience
Parent or family residence	High	Sponsorship, financial support, health and character requirements

These are general observations about the work involved, not a price list. Two advisers may charge very different amounts for the same type of application, depending on their experience, the time they expect to spend, and the level of service they offer.

Are migration agent fees tax deductible?

This is a question about your own tax position, not about the adviser’s fee. The rules for deducting expenses are set by Inland Revenue, not by Immigration New Zealand or the Immigration Advisers Authority. Whether a migration agent fee is deductible depends on why you are paying it.

If you are moving to New Zealand to take up employment, the cost of your visa application is generally a personal expense. If you are already in New Zealand and the visa relates to your business or employment income, the situation may be different. You should ask your accountant or tax adviser about your specific circumstances, because the answer depends on your income sources and the purpose of the visa.

What to check before you pay

Before you engage an adviser or pay any money, you should do three things. First, verify the adviser’s licence on the Immigration Advisers Authority register. The register is publicly available and shows whether a licence is current, and whether there are any conditions on it. Second, get a written agreement that sets out the total fee, what it covers, and any circumstances in which a refund may be payable. Third, ask for a breakdown that separates the adviser’s professional fee from any government charges.

You should also be cautious about anyone who guarantees an outcome. No adviser can guarantee that a visa will be granted. Immigration decisions are made by Immigration New Zealand based on the evidence you provide and the requirements of the relevant visa category. A legitimate adviser will explain the requirements honestly and tell you if your circumstances do not meet them.

What to do next

If you are considering using a migration agent, start by checking the Immigration Advisers Authority register to confirm the adviser is licensed. Then ask for a written quote and a clear description of the services included. If you are applying for a visa where the requirements are straightforward, you may decide you do not need an adviser at all. The official Immigration New Zealand website provides detailed guidance for every visa category, and you can apply online yourself.

If you do use an adviser, keep a copy of the written agreement and all correspondence. If you have a complaint about a licensed adviser, the Immigration Advisers Authority can investigate. The authority’s website explains how to make a complaint and what the process involves.

The most important thing to verify is not a fee figure you saw online, but the licence status of the person you are about to pay. That is the only fact that is both verifiable and decisive.