New Zealand · youth mobility
Working Holiday Visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 10 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
Temporary visa for young people (18–30 or 18–35) from partner countries to work, travel, and study in New Zealand.
- Processing time
- INZ country pages currently show 80% of applications processed within about 2.5 weeks.
- Government fees
- Country-specific; current INZ pages for the UK and USA schemes show fees from NZD 770.
- Typical duration
- Usually 12 months; some schemes allow longer stays, including up to 23 months for Canadians and 36 months for UK citizens.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 8 July 2026, the Working Holiday Visa for New Zealand has a typical government cost of about NZ$770. Sources: official New Zealand government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/new-zealand/working-holiday-nz#answer
What is the Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand?
Working Holiday Visa is an unsponsored New Zealand route. Indicative government fees are Country-specific; current INZ pages for the UK and USA schemes show fees from NZD 770; indicative processing time is INZ country pages currently show 80% of applications processed within about 2.5 weeks; typical duration is Usually 12 months; some schemes allow longer stays, including up to 23 months for Canadians and 36 months for UK citizens. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Immigration New Zealand (INZ) on 1 July 2026.
Overview
New Zealand has Working Holiday Scheme agreements with over 40 countries, and every scheme is country-specific: age limits, annual caps, funds evidence, and maximum stay all depend on your passport. The standard age window is 18 to 30, extended to 18 to 35 for a small group of countries including the United Kingdom. Most schemes allow 12 months of work and travel; Canadians can stay up to 23 months and British citizens up to 36 months. You need at least NZD 4,200 in available funds (the UK scheme is expressed as NZD 350 for each month of stay) plus a return or onward ticket, or the money to buy one. Fees on current INZ country pages start from NZD 770, and INZ lists 80% of applications processed within about 2.5 weeks. The visa allows work for any employer, though not in a permanent role, and up to 6 months of study. Some schemes are capped - the UK scheme has 15,000 places a year, and smaller country quotas can fill very quickly after opening. Completing 3 months of qualifying seasonal work can add a 3-month extension for many nationalities.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
British applicants
British nationals aged 18–35 qualify for the extended 23-month NZ Working Holiday scheme. The quota is generous and rare…
Japanese applicants
Japanese nationals aged 18–30 qualify for the 12-month NZ WHS. The quota is relatively small and fills quickly — monitor…
South Korean applicants
South Korean nationals aged 18–30 qualify for the 12-month NZ WHS. The annual quota is moderate. Police certificate and …
Additional sources
Primary source
INZ - United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa ↗ · Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Nationality of a participating Working Holiday Scheme partner country.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
- ✓Age 18–30, or 18–35 for selected country schemes including the UK.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
- ✓Funds of at least NZD 4,200 (or NZD 350/month of stay) and onward or return travel.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
- ✓Meet health and character requirements.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
Common blockers
- !Country not in a WHS agreement with New Zealand — notably India and China do not have WHSAs.
- !Over the age limit for your country's scheme.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
- !Annual quota filled (some countries have strict caps that fill quickly).Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport from a partner country.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
- ·Bank statement showing at least NZD 4,200 in available funds, or the per-month amount your country scheme sets.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
- ·Return or onward travel ticket or funds to purchase one.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
- ·Medical insurance for the length of stay, where your country scheme requires it.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
Application pathway
Check your country's scheme
Confirm that your country participates, the age limit, and whether quota places are available.
Apply online
Submit the application via INZ's online system. INZ currently lists 80% of applications processed within about 2.5 weeks.
Travel and work
Work for any employer at any skill level. Study for up to 6 months. Travel freely.
Consider extending or transitioning
Some nationalities can extend by 3 months with qualifying seasonal work. Otherwise, transition to an AEWV or student visa before expiry.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyApplicantCheck eligibility and apply online ↗
Applicant checks their country scheme, quota, age rules, and INZ online-application instructions.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) · verified
Fees and processing time
A typical Working Holiday Visa application runs about NZ$770 in government fees (single applicant, UK scheme). A decision then typically takes INZ working holiday country pages, including the United Kingdom scheme, currently list 80% of applications processed within about 2.5 weeks.. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday visa?+
Citizens of the 40-plus countries that hold a Working Holiday Scheme agreement with New Zealand, normally aged 18 to 30. A small group of countries has an extended 18 to 35 age window - the United Kingdom is the best-known example. You apply online, need funds for your stay and a return or onward ticket (or the money for one), and must meet health and character requirements.
How much does the New Zealand Working Holiday visa cost?+
Fees are country-specific. Current INZ country pages, including the UK and USA schemes, list the cost from NZD 770. Check the INZ page for your own country before applying, because each scheme sets its own fee and requirements.
How much money do I need for a Working Holiday visa?+
Most schemes require at least NZD 4,200 in available funds to cover living costs, and the UK scheme expresses the requirement as NZD 350 for each month of your stay. You also need a return or onward ticket, or enough extra money to buy one. Keep the funds in an account you can evidence with a bank statement.
Are there caps on New Zealand Working Holiday visas?+
Many schemes are capped. The UK scheme has 15,000 places a year, and many smaller country schemes have much lower annual quotas that can fill very quickly after opening. Check your country page on the INZ website for the quota and the next opening date, and be ready to apply as soon as places are released.
How long can I stay in NZ on a Working Holiday visa?+
Most schemes are for 12 months. Canadians can stay up to 23 months and UK citizens up to 12, 23 or 36 months. Many nationalities can also extend by 3 months if they complete 3 months of qualifying seasonal work in specified industries. Check the INZ page for your country because age limits, quotas, funds evidence, and maximum stay vary.
Can I get a Working Holiday visa for New Zealand from India?+
No. India does not currently have a Working Holiday Scheme agreement with New Zealand. Indian nationals seeking to work in NZ must use the AEWV, SMC, or other standard work visa categories.
What work and study can I do on a Working Holiday visa?+
You can work for any employer at any skill level, but you cannot take a permanent job, and you can study or train for up to 6 months in total. Many working holidaymakers use the year to line up a skilled role and then switch to an Accredited Employer Work Visa, which has no age limit.
How long does a Working Holiday visa take to process?+
INZ country pages currently list 80% of applications processed within about 2.5 weeks. For capped schemes the real constraint is quota timing rather than processing: places can go quickly when a scheme opens, so apply on the opening date if your country's quota is small.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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