There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Japan for a stay of 12 months.
Applications can be made online for this scheme by following the link below. If you are applying from outside New Zealand, there is no application fee. If you are applying from within New Zealand, there is an application fee and you will need a valid Visa or Mastercard credit card. This is the only way to pay for your online application.
However, before you apply, please read the following important information.
You must:
If you are already in New Zealand you also need to hold a valid temporary visa.
*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.
You will need to meet our health requirements for temporary entry to New Zealand.
Important note for online applicants: Our Working Holiday Schemes Online system will tell you whether you need to send us completed medical and/or chest X-ray certificates and, if so, how to do it when you submit your online application. This is based on the maximum length of stay that you are allowed under your country's Working Holiday Scheme (not your intended stay), along with your responses to our health requirements questions.
If you are applying from outside of New Zealand you are required to provide a Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ 1096) PDF [134KB] within 15 days of your application being submitted. A radiologist on our approved list of medical doctors and radiologists must complete your chest X-ray certificate before you apply. If you have already provided a certificate with a previous visa application, you will receive separate instructions as discussed below.
Once you have successfully submitted your application, please write your application number on the top right hand corner of this certificate and send it, together with the radiologist’s report, to one of Immigration New Zealand’s nominated branches immediately so that your certificate is received within 15 days. Your application number can be found in the automated e-mail that you will receive shortly after submitting your application.
If you have already provided this certificate with a previous application or are applying in New Zealand, and if a General Medical Certificate PDF [474KB] and/or chest X-ray certificate is required, you will receive full instructions in an automated e-mail shortly after submitting your application.
You will need to meet our character requirements for temporary entry to New Zealand.
Note: If we do have concerns about your character and require additional information, such as a police certificate, the processing of your application may be delayed.
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.
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].
Applications under this working holiday scheme can be made online.
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.
If you want to apply manually, follow the steps to apply for a Working Holiday Scheme work visa.
Office and fees finder
Panel Doctors
