Each year, 1000 places are available under this scheme allowing young citizens of Chile to stay in New Zealand for up to 12 months. 

The 2011/2012 quota opened on 4 October 2011, and is now full.

Online application service only

Applications under this scheme must be made online. Manual or paper-based applications which are received by the New Zealand Embassy in Santiago or by any INZ office will be returned to the applicant.

To be eligible

You must:

• have a Chilean passport that is valid for at least three months after your planned departure from New Zealand
• be at least 18 and not more than 35 years old
• not bring children with you
• hold a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket*
• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• meet our health and character requirements
• hold medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance for the length of your stay
• be coming to New Zealand to holiday, with work or study being secondary intentions for your visit
• not have been approved a visa under a Working Holiday Scheme before.

*You are required to hold sufficient funds for the duration of your visit and for the purchase of an outward ticket from New Zealand. Such evidence may be requested on arrival at the border.

Health requirements

You will need to meet our health requirements for temporary entry to New Zealand.      

Character requirements

You will need to meet our character requirements for temporary entry to New Zealand. 

When you are here

• you must not take up permanent employment (unless you apply for and are granted an ordinary work visa while you’re here)
• you must not work for the same employer for more than six months
• you can enrol in one or more courses of training or study of up to six months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please note: New Zealand law prohibits any person on a temporary visa including a Working Holiday Scheme work visa, from providing commercial sexual services, or operating or investing in a business which provides such services.

Tax

Like all New Zealand workers, you will need an IRD number so that your employer can deduct tax from your earnings at the correct rate. In New Zealand, you pay tax on a pay as you earn (PAYE) basis. This means that there should not be a large refund or an amount to pay when you leave. For more information see Inland Revenue's Travelling to New Zealand webpage [external link].

How do I apply?

Take me to Working Holiday Schemes online. This link will take you to our Online Services login page. On this page you can register for online services or if you have already registered you can log in and access the Working Holiday Scheme online application system. Check our questions and answers for more information on the online application system.