Who can apply for a working holiday visa

Working holiday visas are available to young people — normally aged 18 to 30, but 18 to 35 in a select few countries.

This type of visa lets you travel, work and study in New Zealand, generally for up to 12 months.

To apply, you must be a citizen of a country that has a working holiday agreement with New Zealand.

There are certain advantages to having a working holiday visa. You can:

• stay longer than with a standard visitor visa 
• start work straight away
• leave and re-enter New Zealand any number of times while the visa is valid.

Working holiday visas are only available in countries that have an agreement with New Zealand.

The visa requirements for each country will tell you:

• how old you have to be
• how long you can stay
• how much money you need to bring with you
• any specific criteria and conditions.

If your country is not listed, we cannot give you a working holiday visa.

You may, however, be able to apply for a different visa that allows you to work in New Zealand.

Visas for working in New Zealand

Work

You cannot take a permanent job while you are in New Zealand on a working holiday visa.

Conditions of employment will vary depending on where you are from. Check the details for your country’s working holiday visa scheme.

If you are looking to work in New Zealand longer term, or accept a permanent job, you will need a relevant work visa — such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

Finding short-term work when on a working holiday

Study and training

On a working holiday visa, you can study 1 or more courses for up to 6 months in New Zealand. For example, you could study English, do a Study Abroad programme, or a short training course.

All working holiday visas must be applied for online — and only if the visa is 'open' for applications. 

In most cases, you can apply from any country, including from 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.

If you apply for a working holiday visa while in New Zealand, you may need to provide a medical certificate. If you plan to stay in New Zealand for more than 12 months (including time on visas other than a working holiday visa), you must have a chest X-ray and a general medical examination.

Working holiday visa medical requirements 

When you are given a working holiday visa, you must come to New Zealand within 12 months of the date your visa is issued.

You cannot delay or cancel a working holiday visa. If you do not arrive in New Zealand within 12 months, the visa will expire, and you will not be able to apply for another working holiday visa. 

If you are from a visa waiver country and coming to New Zealand on a working holiday visa, make sure you tick the option 'I hold a temporary entry class visa' when completing your New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). If you do not do this, we may give you a visitor visa at the border, and your working holiday visa will be cancelled. You will not be able to apply for another working holiday visa.

You can only apply for a working holiday visa online and in English.

Setting up an online account

To apply for a working holiday visa online, you will first need to create an account. 

Create an account -Online services

Once you have logged in, you can apply, upload your documents and pay the fees that apply.

If you have forgotten your password, try resetting it or contact our Customer Service Centre.

You can also log in to your account to check your application status.

Completing the application

You must complete the application correctly. If you do not, you may have problems when you travel to New Zealand on your working holiday visa.

When to apply

You can only apply when the working holiday visa for your country is open for applications. Check the website for this information. If you apply before the opening date, your application will be automatically deleted. This is to improve the performance of the online application system.

If you are on a United Kingdom or Canada working holiday visa

If you are currently in New Zealand on a 12-month Canada Working Holiday Visa, you can apply to extend your stay for up to another 11 months with a Working Holiday Scheme Subsequent Work Visa.

If you are currently in New Zealand on a 12-month or longer United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa, you can apply to extend your stay to cover the balance of the 36-month maximum duration with a Working Holiday Scheme Subsequent Work Visa.

If you have completed 3 months of seasonal work

If you have completed 3 months of in the or industries, you can apply to extend your stay for 3 months.

Working Holiday Extension Work Visa

If you want to work or stay longer in New Zealand, or are coming for a purpose other than a working holiday, there may be another visa better suited to your plans.

Find and choose a visa