Can I extend my Working Holiday visa?

9 February 2023

Knowledge base articles

You can submit an application to extend your Working Holiday visa if you meet the following criteria:

  • You are currently in New Zealand on a Canadian or UK Working Holiday visa
  • you are a United Kingdom citizen or a Canadian citizen
  • your current Working Holiday visa was granted for 12 months only

If the above criteria apply to you, you may be able to extend your Working Holiday for up to another 11 months.

If you are a UK citizen, you must not work for a period exceeding 12 months, which includes the time you have already spent in NZ on a Working Holiday visa.

Working Holiday Scheme Second Work Visa Application Form (INZ 1223)

If you do not meet the requirements for the above Working Holiday Extension, you may still be eligible for a 3 month extension of your Working Holiday visa if you have completed 3 months of seasonal work while holding your Working Holiday visa.

Working Holiday Extension work visa

What type of work is seasonal work?

I haven't travelled to New Zealand to activate my Working Holiday visa.  Can I extend the visa?

No. If you have been granted a Working Holiday visa you must activate it by arriving in New Zealand within the timeframe provided (usually one 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.