A Working Holiday Visa is a special permit that allows young people to legally work in New Zealand while primarily being there on holiday. Unlike pure tourist or work visas, the WHV strikes a perfect balance, giving you the freedom to fund your travels through temporary employment. Young individuals, typically between 18 and 30 and up to 35 in some specific countries, can apply for working holiday visas. These visas allow you to work and explore New Zealand for 12 months. If you’re from Canada, you can travel and work for as long as 23 months, while citizens of the United Kingdom can stay for up to 36 months.
The New Zealand government designed this program to promote cultural exchange and allow young visitors to experience Kiwi life beyond what a typical vacation allows. With a Working Holiday Visa (WHV), you can:
- Live in New Zealand for 12 months (or up to 23 months if you’re from Canada and up to 36 months if you’re from the UK)
- Work in temporary positions throughout your stay
- Study for up to 4 months
- Travel throughout the country without restrictions
- do 3 months of specified work to become eligible for a second Working Holiday visa
The key distinction is that working should be secondary to your holiday experience. This isn’t meant to be a career move but rather a way to support your travels and immerse yourself in New Zealand culture, which is why you cannot accept a permanent job offer with this visa. You can only receive permanent job offers with a relevant visa, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
Before getting too excited, let’s check if you’re eligible. The Working Holiday Visa has specific requirements:
- Country of Citizenship
New Zealand has Working Holiday Visa agreements with over 45 countries. The complete list is available here.
Some of the participating countries include:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Germany
- France
- Japan
- South Korea
- Luxembourg
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Argentina
- Chile
Age Requirements
You must be:
- At least 18 years old when you apply
- No older than 30 years old (in most countries)
- No older than 35 years old (for Canada, Ireland, France, and some other countries)
Other Key Requirements
- Have a valid passport with at least 15 months remaining
- Have enough funds to support yourself initially
- Have a ticket out of New Zealand or enough money to purchase one
- Have the intention of going to New Zealand for a holiday, with both work or a short amount of study, your secondary intentions
- Meet health and character requirements
- Not previously approved for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa (a one-time opportunity for most countries). If you have previously been in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 visa), see the second Working Holiday visa.
- Do not bring dependent children or include family members in your application.
- Not have had a visa canceled or refused
The Application Process for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
The application process is relatively straightforward, entirely online, and can be done if the visa is open for application. Here’s a detailed walkthrough:
- Gather relevant documents like:
- Your valid passport
- A copy of your birth certificate
- Proof of name change if you changed your name
- Proof of sufficient funds for your stay and return ticket
- Proof of good character, like a police certificate
- Translate all non-English documents into English
- Scan all English and non-English documents in a clear format
- Complete the Online Application Form
- Log in or create an ImmiAccount.
- Attach your documents, such as personal information (passport details, contact information), travel plans (approximate dates, though these can be flexible), health and character declarations, and previous travel history.
Be honest in all declarations. Immigration New Zealand conducts thorough background checks, and providing false information can result in immediate rejection and future immigration difficulties.
- Pay the Application Fee
The application fee is pivotal to your application process, as your application won’t be processed until you pay. Once you’ve made the payment, note the transaction reference number.
After your application, you might be requested to provide your biometrics. Note that, during this time, you are not to travel to New Zealand until you have been notified that your visa has been granted. You’ll also be notified if you need a health exam if you didn’t have one at the time of your application
- Submit Supporting Documents (If Required)
Most applicants don’t need to submit additional documents initially, but Immigration New Zealand may request:
– Medical certificates (if you plan to stay more than 12 months or have health conditions)
– Police certificates (if you’ve spent significant time in other countries)
– Proof of funds (bank statements)
Once your visa has been approved, you’ll be contacted in writing about your visa decision and told your visa grant number, your visa start date, and other visa conditions. You must keep a copy of this decision notification with you.
