Working Holiday Visa

The New Zealand working holiday visa offers the opportunity for young people from countries with exchange agreements in place to travel around New Zealand taking up temporary work while they are there.

Duration

For most participating countries the working holiday visa for New Zealand is issued for 12 months. However for UK citizens it is issued for 23 months, of which the UK citizen must not work for a period of more than 12 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Country of Citizenship

New Zealand working holiday visa applicants seeking a working holiday visa in New Zealand must be from one of the following countries that have exchange program agreements with New Zealand:

  • Argentina
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Hong Kong
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia 
  • Sweden
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay

Age

New Zealand working holiday visa applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age.

Children

A New Zealand working holiday visa applicant is not able to bring children with them.

Employment in New Zealand

If considering migration to New Zealand on a New Zealand working holiday visa it should be noted that employment should be for the purpose of supplementing travel while in New Zealand.

New Zealand working holiday visa applicants should not be seeking to undertake permanent employment while on this scheme.

Some countries involved in New Zealand's working holiday visa scheme place restrictions on the amount of time that can be spent with one employer. In most instances this is three months, however please contact Global Visas for more details about employment restrictions for New Zealand working holiday visas.

Supporting funds and onward journey:

The amount of supporting funds required in NZ dollars will vary from country to country.

Application Submission

In the majority of circumstances New Zealand working holiday visa applications must be made in the country of origin.

Working holiday visa applications may be made in New Zealand for people applying under Canadian, Dutch, Malaysian, or Singaporean schemes.