Nonrefundable visitor levy is ‘underhand’ – immigration advisor

Nonrefundable visitor levy is ‘underhand’ – immigration advisor
The Kākāpō Recovery Programme received a grant of $8 million, paid for by the International Visitor Levy. (Image: NZ Herald)
Jem Traylen
The Government stands to make around $10 million a year by taxing tourists who will never set foot in the country.A non-refundable International Visitor Levy (IVL), set to increase to $100, is paid along with other visa processing fees on application, and nothing is refunded if the visa is declined.A separate border levy is also collected by travel agents, which covers the costs of Customs and biosecurity.While visa application fees are meant to recover Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) costs, the IVL pays for tourism and conservation proje...

More Policy

Recycling ads scrapped after $200k spend
Policy Exclusive

Recycling ads scrapped after $200k spend

A $1.2m ad campaign was scaled back to $20k of limited social media ad placements.

Cécile Meier 01 Aug 2025
Govt says university reform process is still on track
Policy

Govt says university reform process is still on track

Many university academics are wondering what happened to the Government's advice.

Greg Hurrell 29 Jul 2025
Bishop 'exploring options' to refresh critical freight study
Policy

Bishop 'exploring options' to refresh critical freight study

The study was last updated using data from 2017 and 2018.

Oliver Lewis 28 Jul 2025
Fast-track legal fight over Tauranga wharf extension
Policy

Fast-track legal fight over Tauranga wharf extension

Bay of Plenty hapū seek High Court intervention to stop expert panel being set up.

Oliver Lewis 23 Jul 2025