Queenstown visitor levy 2026: NZD 100, plus an NZeTA from NZD 17

New Zealand charges an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of NZD 100 in 2026, and almost everyone flying into Queenstown pays it. Immigration New Zealand states that "many tourists, people on working holidays, and some students and workers coming to New Zealand must pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $100".

The travel authority on top

Most visa waiver travellers also need an NZeTA. Immigration New Zealand prices it "From NZD $17" and says it is valid for two years for travellers and five years for airline crew. The levy is normally paid at the same time as the request.

Who does not pay

The department says you do not pay the levy if you travel on an Australian or New Zealand passport, or a passport from many Pacific Island nations, and it exempts transit passengers, resident visa holders and business visitor visa holders. It also warns that "we do not refund the IVL, even if we decline your application".

What a trip costs

A couple arriving for a week in Queenstown pays NZD 200 in levy plus at least NZD 34 for two NZeTAs, so NZD 234 before a single night of accommodation. Whether Queenstown adds a bed tax of its own during 2026 is not settled on any official page we found.

Sources: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/applying-for-a-visa/fees-processing-times-and-refunds/paying-the-international-visitor-levy/ and https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/nzeta

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