New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
The perfect option to visit New Zealand and work!
What is a Working Holiday Visa
Typically, Working Holiday visas are for young people aged 18-30, but in some cases 18-35, and allow for travel and work from 12 months to 36 months depending on your country of citizenship.
The requirements under the working holiday scheme depend on your country of origin and which passport you intend to travel on while you are in New Zealand. If you hold more than one passport, it is important that you apply for the Working Holiday Scheme of the passport you intend to travel to New Zealand on.
Applying for the wrong Scheme could result in your application being denied and may be viewed as you providing false and misleading information and have negative implications for any future visas you may wish to apply for. This makes it essential to engage in the services of a Licensed Adviser to prepare and supply the correct information in order to apply for the correct working holiday scheme.
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Passport validity for WHV
Note that passports must be valid for at least 15 months at time of application if applying for a 12-month working holiday, and 26 months if applying for a 23-month working holiday (certain schemes only).
Working Holiday Visa Schemes for New Zealand
| Argentina Austria Belgium Brazil Canada Chile China Croatia Czech Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Hungary |
Hong Kong Ireland Israel Italy Japan Korea Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malaysia Malta Mexico Netherlands Norway Peru |
Philippines Poland Portugal Singapore Slovakia Sloveniav Spain Sweden Taiwan Thailand Turkey United Kingdom USA Uruguay Vietnam |
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}Can I study while on a Working Holiday Visa?
Typically, working holiday visa schemes allow you to study programmes of up to 6 months duration. If the programme is any longer, you need to apply for the relevant student visa.
What if I secure permanent employment?
Typically, working holiday visas do not allow you to accept permanent employment. Some schemes also allow a few months for each employer. However, if you are offered permanent employment while on a working holiday visa, this may be a pathway for you to secure a longer-term work visa or even residence.
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Is this the right visa for you?
In some cases, it may be more suitable to apply for a different kind of visa, such as a Visitor Visa, a Work Visa, or a Student Visa.
.brxe-ohbzff{
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}Frequently Asked Questions: New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
When do New Zealand working holiday visa applications open?
Opening dates vary by country, ranging from February (Malaysia) through to November (Uruguay). Each country’s scheme opens on its designated date and remains open until the annual cap is reached.
How many working holiday visa places are available for New Zealand in 2026?
Place numbers differ significantly by country. Some countries do not have a quota at all. The United Kingdom receives the largest quota at 15,000 places, followed by Korea (3,000) and Spain (2,000). Many smaller schemes — such as Portugal, Luxembourg, and Malta — are capped at just 50 places. Acting quickly on your scheme’s opening date is essential if you are from a country with a small quota.
What happens if I don't apply on the opening date?
Once the annual cap for a scheme is reached, it closes until the following year. High-demand, low-cap schemes can fill within hours of opening. New Zealand Shores recommends having your application fully prepared before your opening date so you can submit it immediately — contact us at [email protected] to get started.
What is a capped working holiday scheme?
A capped Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) limits the number of visas issued to nationals of a specific country each calendar year. Once the cap is reached, no further applications are accepted until the scheme reopens the following year. This differs from uncapped schemes, which remain open year-round.
Can New Zealand Shores help me apply for a Working Holiday Visa?
Yes. New Zealand Shores is a specialist New Zealand immigration services provider offering end-to-end application support. Our team prepares and submits your application so it is ready to go the moment your scheme opens. Contact us at [email protected] or visit www.newzealandshores.com for a free eligibility assessment.
