Working Holiday Visa New Zealand

What is the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa all about?

The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa is for people who are travelling to New Zealand, and who wish to gain some financially support during their stay in New Zealand with short term work. It is important to note that this visa does not allow you to take up full time or long term employment/s in New Zealand.

You are able to stay in New Zealand for up to 12 months with this visa. You can usually study for up to 3 months in New Zealand with this visa. While you are able to work in New Zealand, you will not be permitted to work for any of your employers for longer than 3 months.


Am I eligible?

In order to get a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa, you will need to make sure that you are between the ages of 18 and 30. You must not bring any children with you to New Zealand, and you should also either purchase a return ticket or be able to give prove that you have enough money to do so. You must also be in good health, and you must also have a good character and be able to satisfy the character requirements. To see what the character requirements are, visit: glossary.immigration.govt.nz/Goodcharacter.htm.

New Zealand has Working Holiday agreements in place with certain countries and it is vital for you to hold a valid and current passport from one of these countries in order to apply for this visa:

Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong (SARWHS), Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA and Uruguay.

It is important to note also that there may be a limited number of people who will be allowed to enter New Zealand on this Visa every year from your country, so applying early may give you a better chance of getting this visa. To check out the details, go to: www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workingholiday/.


How do I apply?

You will be able to apply for this visa online, or you can choose to lodge a paper based application. However, if the yearly places of entry specific to your country is already filled, you will not be able to apply for this visa in the same year.

If there are still places available, you will be able to lodge an application online here: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/secure/default.htm
or you can choose to download and lodge a paper based application here: www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workingholiday/howdoiapply/default.htm


How much will I have to pay for this visa?

The fee payable will depend on the citizenship you hold and where you are living at the time of application. For example, a German citizen with a German passport and who is living in Germany at the time of application will have to pay 70 euros. This is currently the equivalent of about $128 NZD (excluding bank fees and postage charges).   

Once the fee is paid, it is non refundable. To find out the up-to-date information on how much you have to pay, go to the official fee finder website here: www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/skilledmigrant/LinkAdministration/ToolboxLinks/officeandfeescalculator.htm.