How much do Immigration Advisers cost?

Are you thinking of working with a Licensed Immigration Adviser in New Zealand & wondering what this might cost? You're not alone!

Regardless of which visa you're hoping to apply for, understanding the fees involved will help you plan ahead (and avoid expensive mistakes).

Do I need to use an LIA?

Working with an Adviser to apply for a visa in New Zealand isn't compulsory, but it can definitely make your journey easier & less stressful.

Advisers know the latest immigration rules, manage the paperwork on your behalf & reduce the risk of having your visa declined.

While there is no specific priority assigned to visas submitted by an Adviser, evidence suggests that using a good Adviser often results in faster processing. This is due to Advisers being trained on how to provide "decision-ready" applications. These applications have all the information an Immigration Case Officer requires to immediately assess & decide the outcome of a visa without requesting any further information.

• You don't need to use an Adviser if:

  • You have lots of time

  • You can read & understand complicated & detailed information

  • Know where to find information that is specific to your personal circumstances (NOT social media, as legally all immigration advice must come from a licensed person)

  • You feel confident that you can put together a detailed & accurate application on your own

• You should use an Adviser if:

  • You don't have lots of time (either because you are busy or because your application needs to be submitted urgently)

  • You consider yourself someone who rushes to complete things, gets impatient or takes shortcuts

  • You don't understand the consequences of a poor application (such as wasted application fees due to declines, possible unlawfulness, deportation, etc.)

  • You have a complicated personal situation (health issues, criminal convictions, previous visa declines, even in other countries, etc.)

  • You are unsure what evidence is required for the specific visa type or in your personal circumstances

  • You are currently unlawfully in New Zealand (your visa expired)

  • You are currently breaching your visa conditions (your circumstances no longer align with your visa)

  • Your application for a further visa has been declined & you don't understand why or how to fix it

Average cost of Licensed Immigration Advisers in New Zealand (2025)

If you consider yourself someone who's able to successfully complete a DIY visa application, congratulations. You will hopefully save all the fees associated with using an Adviser.

If you are considering using an Adviser, however, here's a rough estimate on what this may cost you based on my market research.

Visa Type Min Max

Visitor Visas $341 $4,000

Partnership Visitor Visas $500 $1,250

Study Visas $500 $2,500

Work Visas $800 $2,500

Partnership Work Visas $500 $3,000

Post-Study Work Visas $750 $1,670

Residence Visas $2,000 $8,000

Partnership Residence Visas $2,000 $5,360

Variation of Conditions $325 $1,500

S61 Requests $640 $5,000

PPI Letter Response $1,500 $3,000

Health / Character Waiver Requests $1,500 $2,500

The above are only publicly available estimates & do not account for things like the Adviser's level of experience, the level of service included & the complexity of your case. The Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) provide some guidance on what could influence these prices.

What is usually included in the cost?

1. Consultation (sometimes charged separately)

2. Eligibility Assessment

3. Personalised document checklist (tailored list of evidence you need to provide based on your personal situation)

4. Application preparation (this includes document review & collation)

5. Advocacy

6. Application submission

7. Communication with INZ on your behalf (this can include responding to Requests for Further Information, a.k.a RFI letters)

8. Ongoing updates & support during application processing (sometimes even settlement support after)

Sometimes, communications with INZ, such as RFI letter responses, health & character waiver submissions, etc., are charged in addition to the application service fees (as seen above,) so it's a good idea to check what's included in your contract.

Your Adviser may also charge GST, which puts an additional 15% on these fees when you are an onshore application (based in New Zealand).

I want to use an Adviser, but I can't afford it!

Some Advisers offer an option halfway between doing a DIY application & having an Adviser do it on your behalf. If you want to keep the cost of immigration as low as possible, but still reduce your risk, this may be the perfect option!

In all cases, the biggest benefit to you lies in a consultation - this is where the advice lies, the educated information, the eligibility assessment, the risk highlighting. If you're unable to hire a professional to support your case, the cheapest & most valuable option is often just a +-$100 NZD consultation that can save you from a $6,450 resident visa decline!

I want to use an Adviser, but I'm not sure who to choose?

• ALWAYS check if they are licensed first. Search them on the IAA register (click on the "find an Adviser" button at the top).

• Check if they have reviews. You can take a look at our reviews on Google & Trustpilot.

• Do you want to work with an independent Adviser who gives you their undivided attention or a large firm with several staff members working on bits & pieces of your application.

• Do they specialise in your visa type? LIA's acquire expertise over time by repeatedly working on certain visa types & undergoing continuous additional training on them. You might not want an Adviser to work on your S61 request if they've never done one before!

• Do they offer some form of consultation before representing your case? Consultations allow an LIA to gather critical information about your background that has an impact on your visa outcome. Jumping into an application without knowing enough about you increases your risk significantly.

• Do they provide fixed fees or hourly rates? Hourly rates can make it difficult to estimate the eventual total cost of your application until it's already finished. You may find using LIA's with fixed fees more transparent & budget-friendly.

✔️ Here's a free PDF checklist designed by the IAA to help you choose.

Not convinced yet? Here are some considerations to make before you decide:

• Risk

  • Financial loss - INZ won't refund the application cost of a declined visa; on top of that cost, you'll need to pay more fees for further applications / reconsiderations / appeals. After paying these additional fees, there is no guarantee that these won't also be declined. By the time you recruit an Adviser to assist, you'll have spent far more than the above costs.

  • Emotional distress - the uncertainty over your visa's outcome, the stress of receiving Potentially Prejudicial Information (PPI) letters & the eventual torment of a declined outcome only adds to the anxiety of immigration.

• Peace of mind

  • Get it right the first time - while we can't guarantee outcomes, your risk of decline is infinitely reduced by using an immigration expert.

  • Decision-ready - your journey will be smoother & faster.

  • Worry-free - you don't need to feel pressure about what is required, what to leave out, meeting deadlines or getting declined.

• Time

  • Family - by spending less time working on your own application, you'll have more time to spend with family before you leave.

  • Work - having your application taken care of from start to finish means you can focus on more important things like finalising work projects.

  • Settlement - you'll have more time to plan your future in New Zealand.

Many people still choose to self-represent their visa cases & think of Advisers as an "extra cost".

However, the right Adviser is an investment in your future in New Zealand & a shoulder to lean on during the biggest step in your life.

If you want to clarify & simplify your journey to New Zealand, get in touch with us to book a consult. We'll help you strategically navigate the process & pave your way to success!

Email info@successhackernz.com or click on Bookings in the menu.