How the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa Works: The Master Guide

New Zealand’s Working Holiday Visa (WHV) lets you live in NZ for up to a year (sometimes longer), work for almost any employer, and travel — all on one visa. It’s not one single visa: it’s a set of separate agreements between New Zealand and around 45 partner countries, each with its own age range, funds requirement, and sometimes an annual quota. You apply for the specific scheme that matches your citizenship.

Are you eligible?

Broadly, across nearly every scheme:

• Age: normally 18–30, though a handful of countries’ schemes go up to 35.
• Citizenship: you must hold a passport from one of NZ’s ~45 partner countries — check yours with our Visa Eligibility Checker.
• No dependent children joining you on the visa.
• You haven’t held this scheme’s WHV before — nearly all schemes are one-time only.

Exact age ranges, funds, and fees vary by country. Use the checker rather than assuming your friend’s requirements apply to you.

What the visa lets you do

• Work for almost any NZ employer, in almost any role, for the length of your visa.
• Study for up to 6 months with one provider.
• Travel in and out of New Zealand freely during the visa’s validity.
• Combine work and travel in whatever order suits you — there’s no requirement to work first or last.

What it costs

Every scheme shares the same base visa application fee: NZD $770. On top of that, you need to show proof of funds to support yourself — this varies by scheme, typically NZD $2,250–$7,000, and the UK scheme uniquely requires NZD $350 per month of your visa rather than a lump sum. See our funds, insurance, and medical requirements guide for the full breakdown, or check your specific country in the Visa Checker.

Quota-capped schemes: not everyone gets first-come, first-served

Around two-thirds of NZ’s WHV schemes cap the number of visas issued each year. When a capped scheme’s round opens, places can fill within minutes to hours for the most popular countries. If your scheme is capped, the opening date is the single most important piece of information in your entire application — see our guide to quota countries for how to actually get a spot.

How to apply

Applications are made entirely online, in English, through Immigration New Zealand’s application portal. You’ll need:

• A valid passport from an eligible country
• Proof of funds (bank statement or similar)
• Payment for the NZD $770 fee
• Any scheme-specific documents (some schemes require a tertiary qualification, an English test result, or other paperwork — check your country’s page)

Processing times vary by scheme and season — some schemes clear most applications within a couple of weeks, others take over a month. Check the current estimate for your scheme on Immigration New Zealand’s processing-times page rather than planning around a fixed number.

One detail that trips people up

Once your visa is approved, you must arrive in New Zealand within 12 months of the grant date, or it expires permanently — it can’t be extended, delayed, or reissued. If you’re not ready to travel yet, it’s often better to wait before applying, especially for uncapped schemes where there’s no rush to get in early.

Country-specific guides

Rules that differ by country — age range, funds, and quota timing — are covered in each scheme’s own guide: UK, Germany, USA, Canada, France, Japan.

Where to go next

• Check your specific scheme: Visa Eligibility Checker
• Funds, insurance, and medical requirements, explained
• Quota countries: opening dates and how to get a spot
• How much money you actually need for a working holiday

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