Working Holiday Visa
Travel. Work. Explore.
A great way for young people to experience New Zealand while working or studying short-term.
What is the Working Holiday Visa?
This visa lets young adults from approved countries visit New Zealand primarily for a holiday — but they can also work and study while they're here.
General Eligibility Criteria (for all countries)
To apply for a Working Holiday Visa, you must:
Be aged 18–30 (or 18–35 for some countries)
Hold a passport from an approved country
Have sufficient funds (usually NZ$4,200)
Have travel insurance for the entire stay
Be coming to NZ primarily for a holiday
Not be accompanied by children
Have not previously had a Working Holiday Visa for NZ (unless a second visa is allowed)
Meet health & character requirements
Applications must be submitted online at www.immigration.govt.nz.
Visa Conditions
- Work and travel in NZ for up to 6, 12, 23, or 36 months depending on your country
- You can study or train for up to 6 months total
- Some schemes limit how long you can work for one employer (e.g. 3 or 6 months max)
- Some countries allow you to apply for a further visa (e.g. UK or Canada)
Country-Specific Working Holiday Schemes
Here are examples of countries and their scheme details:
|
Country |
Age Limit |
Visa Duration |
Funds Required |
Work Limits |
|
Argentina |
18–35 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
No limit stated |
|
Austria |
18–30 |
6 months |
NZ$2,250 |
No limit stated |
|
Belgium |
18–30 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
No limit stated |
|
Brazil |
18–30 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
Max 3 months per employer |
|
Canada |
18–35 |
23 months |
NZ$4,200 |
Flexible – can extend |
|
Chile |
18–35 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
Max 6 months per employer |
|
China |
18–30 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
Max 6 months per employer, English & education required |
|
Czech Republic |
18–35 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
No limit stated |
|
France |
18–30 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
No limit stated |
|
Germany |
18–30 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
No limit stated |
|
Ireland |
18–30 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
No limit stated |
|
Japan |
18–30 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
No limit stated |
|
Philippines |
18–30 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
Max 3 months per employer, English & education required |
|
Thailand |
18–30 |
12 months |
NZ$7,000 |
Max 3 months per employer, English & education required |
|
United Kingdom |
18–35 |
Up to 36 months |
NZ$350/month |
Flexible – extensions allowed |
|
USA |
18–30 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
No limit stated |
|
Vietnam |
18–30 |
12 months |
NZ$4,200 |
Max 3 months per employer, English & education required |
Each country has its own quota and special conditions. Please contact us for country-specific advice.
Documents You'll Need
- Valid passport
- Proof of funds (e.g. bank statement)
- Medical and travel insurance
- Return/onward travel ticket or funds to buy one
- For some countries: English test results and education certificates
Want to Apply?
Let us guide you through it. At JD Immigration, we’ll help you:
? Confirm eligibility for your country
? Prepare and lodge your application correctly
? Understand your visa conditions
? Apply for a further visa if eligible (UK, Canada)
Book a consultation with JD Immigration now to begin your training journey in Aotearoa.