France Working Holiday Visa for New Zealand: Full Guide for French Citizens

If you hold a French passport, you can apply for New Zealand’s Working Holiday Visa between ages 18 and 30. The scheme has no annual quota. You can apply any time you meet the requirements. This guide explains what is specific to French applicants. For the rules every scheme shares, read the master WHV guide first.

Who can apply

• Age: 18 to 30 when you apply.
• Citizenship: you need a valid French passport.
• One-time only: you cannot apply if New Zealand has given you a working holiday visa before — even if you never used it. A working holiday visa for another country (Australia, Canada…) does not block you.

How long you can stay

The visa runs for up to 12 months. If you work at least 3 months in agriculture or horticulture, you can apply for a Working Holiday Extension Work Visa for 3 more months.

What you need: funds, insurance, medical

• Funds: at least NZD $4,200 for living expenses. Your return flight money needs to be separate from this.
• Insurance: full medical insurance covering hospital care is required for your whole stay.
• Medical exam: not automatic. You may be asked for a chest X-ray, a medical exam, or both, depending on your health questionnaire answers.
• Fee: NZD $770.

Read our funds, insurance, and medical guide for how these rules compare across schemes.

Documents: translate anything not in English

Your application must be in English. If your police certificate or medical certificate is in French, you need a certified English translation — a personal translation is not enough. Other supporting documents do not strictly need translation, but translating them anyway can help avoid delays. For the full application steps, see our step-by-step guide.

What the visa allows

You can take temporary jobs and study for up to 6 months in total. You cannot take permanent employment or run your own business while on this visa.

FAQ

I already had a working holiday visa for Australia. Can I still apply for New Zealand’s?

Yes. Immigration New Zealand states you can still apply if you have had working holiday visas for countries other than New Zealand. What blocks you is a previous New Zealand working holiday visa — even one you never used.

Is there a specific date each year I need to apply by?

No. The France scheme has no quota, so there is no fixed opening date and no rush to apply by a certain day.

Do I need to submit original documents or copies?

Check the current application portal instructions for exact document formats. As a general rule, non-English certificates need certified English translations alongside the original.

Can I study while I’m on this visa?

Yes, up to 6 months in total with one education provider, on top of working and travelling.

Where to go next

• Visa Eligibility Checker — confirm your current funds and fee figures
• How the NZ Working Holiday Visa works — the master guide
• WHV requirements: funds, insurance, medical — explained

This page is general information, not immigration advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed immigration adviser or Immigration New Zealand directly.