From 1 October 2026, the Department of Home Affairs has stopped charging a card payment surcharge when visa application charges are paid by card. If you are about to lodge a visa, sponsorship or nomination application, paying by card no longer adds an extra percentage on top of the fee.
Here is what has changed, why it happened and what it means for applicants and employers.
What Has Changed?
Until 30 September 2026, paying a Visa Application Charge (VAC), sponsorship fee or nomination fee by card through ImmiAccount attracted a surcharge. For the major card networks, this was 1.40% of the amount paid, and it applied to debit cards as well as credit cards.
The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that it ceased charging the card payment surcharge from 1 October 2026. The Department has also confirmed that there will be no related change to VAC amounts. In other words, the fee itself has not been increased to make up for the surcharge being removed.
Why Has the Surcharge Been Removed?
The change follows the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging. Following that review, surcharging on debit, prepaid and credit card payments across the eftpos, Mastercard and Visa networks is banned from 1 October 2026. American Express also announced that it would remove surcharging from the same date.
Because most visa application charges are paid by card through ImmiAccount, the Migration Institute of Australia sought clarification from the Department about how the ban would apply. The Department confirmed that it has stopped charging the surcharge on 1 October 2026.
How Much Will Applicants Save?
The savings depend on the size of the fee. The examples below use the previous 1.40% card surcharge.
| Total Charges Paid by Card | Surcharge Before 1 October 2026 (1.40%) | Surcharge From 1 October 2026 |
| $2,000 | $28 | $0 |
| $5,000 | $70 | $0 |
| $10,000 | $140 | $0 |
| $20,000 | $280 | $0 |
These figures are illustrative only. For families lodging applications with several secondary applicants, or employers paying nomination fees and the Skilling Australians Fund levy alongside a visa application, the combined saving can be meaningful.
Does This Apply to Every Payment Method?
The Department’s confirmation refers to the card payment surcharge, and the RBA reform covers debit, prepaid and credit cards on the eftpos, Mastercard and Visa networks. Previously, other methods such as PayPal and UnionPay carried their own surcharge rates.
At the time of writing, the Department’s online surcharge information had not yet been updated. If you are paying by a method other than a standard debit or credit card, check the total shown on the ImmiAccount payment screen before you confirm payment.
Does It Matter When I Lodged My Application?
What matters is when the payment is processed. Card payments made on or after 1 October 2026 should not attract the surcharge. Payments made on or before 30 September 2026 were charged under the rules that applied at the time, and the change does not create a right to a refund of surcharges already paid.
What Should Applicants and Employers Do Now?
- Check the payment screen in ImmiAccount before confirming, and make sure no surcharge is being added to a card payment.
- Keep your payment receipt with your application records.
- Do not delay a time-critical application to save on fees. Visa expiry dates, age limits and invitation deadlines matter far more than the surcharge.
- Employers should update internal budgets for sponsorship and nomination costs, as the surcharge no longer needs to be included.
- Remember the fee itself has not changed. VAC amounts are still set by the Migration Regulations and are usually indexed on 1 July each year.
How SALIA Lawyers & Associates Can Help
Small changes like this are a good reminder that visa costs and rules shift regularly.
Whether you are an individual applicant or an employer sponsoring overseas workers, our team can help you plan your application, budget accurately and lodge correctly the first time.
Contact us at salia.com.au or email hello@salia.com.au to book a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the visa application charge gone up to replace the surcharge?
No. The Department has confirmed there is no related change to VAC fees as a result of removing the surcharge.
Does the change apply to sponsorship and nomination fees?
The surcharge previously applied to visa application charges, sponsorship fees and nomination fees paid by card through ImmiAccount. The Department confirmed that it has ceased charging the card payment surcharge on 1 October 2026.
Can I get a refund of a surcharge I paid in September?
No. The change applies from 1 October 2026 and does not operate retrospectively.
Does this change any visa requirements?
No. This is a payment change only. All visa criteria, documents and processing arrangements remain the same.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided is intended as a general guide and should not be relied upon as legal or migration advice. As migration laws and regulations can change, we recommend consulting an Australian Lawyer or Registered Migration Agent for advice tailored to your circumstances.
