Working Holiday Visas
Discover the incredible opportunities of a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand! This unique change is open to young people and can serve as a stepping stone to secure a bright future in the country.
New Zeland Working Holiday Visa Overview
If your country has a working holiday scheme with New Zealand, you may be able to pack your backpack and travel to New Zealand for a year on a Working Holiday. New Zealand’s Working Holiday Visa Scheme allows young nationals of certain countries to work in New Zealand on a temporary basis for up to 12 months to supplement their travels.
The Working Holiday Visa is a great way to have heaps of fun and to experience the New Zealand lifestyle. You will also meet other people on their travels and have the best time of your life.
Eligibility and Criteria
Working holiday visas are available to young people, usually aged 18 to 30, but 18 to 35 in a select few countries. They let you travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months. If you are from Canada, they let you travel and work for up to 23 months, and for up to 36 months if you are from the United Kingdom.
You need to:
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- Have enough money to pay for a return ticket, and
- Be coming mainly to holiday, with both work or a short amount of study as your secondary intentions.
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Employment Conditions
You can only work on a temporary contract and cannot work on a permanent contract whilst on a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand. If you obtain a permanent job offer in New Zealand whilst on a Working Holiday Visa, then you may be in a position to apply for a Accredited Employer Work Visa and remain in New Zealand beyond the duration of your Working Holiday Visa.
Studying and Training Courses
With your working holiday visa, you can study one or more courses for up to 6 months in New Zealand. For example, you could study English for up to 6 months, do a Study Abroad programme for up to 6 months, or a short training course in New Zealand.
Applying from New Zealand or Overseas
All working holiday visas must be applied for online — and only if the visa is ‘open’ for applications.
In most cases, you can apply for a working holiday visa from any country, including within New Zealand. However, some schemes require you to be in your home country when you apply. For example, you must be in China when you apply for the China Working Holiday Visa.
Working Holiday Visa Requirements
You cannot delay your working holiday visa. If you have been granted a working holiday visa, you must activate it by arriving in New Zealand within the timeframe you were given. This is usually 1 year from the date it is granted.
You cannot delay or cancel a working holiday visa that has been granted. If you cannot activate the visa, it will lapse. You cannot apply again for a working holiday visa if one was already granted to you.
Countries with Working Holiday Agreements and Their Criteria
Working holiday visas are only available in countries that have an agreement with New Zealand for working holiday visas.
| Country | Duration | Age Range | Quota/Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 12 months | 18 – 35 | 1000 visas per year |
| Austria | 6 months | 18 – 30 | 100 visas per year |
| Belgium | 12 months | 18 – 30 | Unlimited visas |
| Brazil | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 300 visas per year |
| Canada | 12-23 months | 18 – 35 | Unlimited visas. Can extend visa for up to 23 months. |
| Chile | 12 months | 18 – 35 | 940 visas per year |
| China | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 1000 visas per year |
| Croatia | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 100 visas per year |
| Czech Republic | 12 months | 18 – 35 | 1200 visas per year. Visa available for those over 30. |
| Denmark | 12 months | 18 – 30 | Unlimited visas |
| Estonia | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 100 visas per year |
| Finland | 12 months | 18 – 35 | Unlimited visas. Visa available for those over 30. |
| France | 12 months | 18 – 30 | Unlimited visas |
| Germany | 12 months | 18 – 30 | Unlimited visas |
| Hong Kong | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 400 visas per year |
| Hungary | 12 months | 18 – 35 | 100 visas per year. Visa available for those over 30. |
| Ireland | 12 months | 18 – 30 | Unlimited visas |
| Israel | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 200 visas per year |
| Italy | 12 months | 18 – 30 | Unlimited visas |
| Japan | 12 months | 18 – 30 | Unlimited visas |
| Latvia | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 100 visas per year |
| Malaysia | 6 months | 18 – 30 | 1150 visas per year |
| Malta | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 50 visas per year |
| Mexico | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 200 visas per year |
| Netherlands | 12 months | 18 – 30 | Unlimited visas |
| Norway | 12 months | 18 – 30 | Unlimited visas |
| Peru | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 100 visas per year |
| Philippines | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 100 visas per year |
| Poland | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 100 visas per year |
| South Korea | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 3000 visas per year |
| Singapore | 6 months | 18 – 30 | 200 visas per year |
| Slovakia | 12 months | 18 – 35 | 100 visas per year. Visa available for those over 30. |
| Slovenia | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 100 visas per year |
| Spain | 12 months | 18 – 30 | 200 visas per year |
| Sweden | 12 months | 18 – 30 | Unlimited visas |
| Switzerland | 18 months | 18 – 35 | No quota specified |
| Taiwan | 12 months | 18 – 30 | No quota specified |
| Turkey | 12 months | 18 – 30 | No quota specified |
| United Kingdom | 12-36 months | 18 – 30 | Unlimited visas. Can extend visa up to 36 months. |
| United States | 12 months | 18 – 30 | Unlimited visas |
| Uruguay | 12 months | 18 – 30 | No quota specified |