The Working Holiday Visa is a specific travel visa which has been created to help backpackers earn money as they work their way around New Zealand. The visa allows you to undertake casual work and travel around New Zealand for up to one or two years.
It is currently available to citizens of 26 countries and hopefully you are one of them! If you are planning a long trip to New Zealand, it's worth getting hold of this visa in case you get short of money. However, be aware that you can only get one working holiday visa in your lifetime so make the most of it!
Citizens from the following countries can obtain a Working Holiday Visa:
Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Hong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, USA, Uruguay.
If you are not from one of these countries then you will only be able to obtain a visitor visa to enter New Zealand and will not be able to work.
The requirements for obtaining a Working HolidayVisa are different for each country. For the exact requirements for your country's scheme, please see NZ Immigration Working Holiday Section .
In general, the following requirements apply:
Be at least 18 and not more than 30 years old
Be able to show you have sufficient funds to support yourself (approx $4200 in cash, travellers cheques, bank draft or bank statement)
Have a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one
Have no dependent children with you
Never been on a Working Holiday to New Zealand before
Main reason you're coming to NZ is to holiday; work being your secondary intention
In addition, the Working Holiday Schemes for each country have their own unique requirements, such as limitations on the number of visas issued each year and restrictions on the length of time you can work for each employer. You may be asked questions and be required to provide evidence that you meet the above requirements before being allowed into NZ, so make sure you have all the relevant documents with you!
Most citizens can now apply for their Working Holiday Visa over the internet, although citizens from some countries must apply by completing an application form and sending it to your local NZ Immigration office. Check out what options are available to you here.
:: Applying Online
To apply for your Working HolidayVisa online, you must first register with the NZ Immigration website at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/Registration/default.aspx. You can then follow the directions on the site to apply for your visa.
Alternatively, you can use an independent visa agent, who can help you with your application.
:: Applying Manually
To apply manually for your visa, follow these steps:
Obtain the NZIS form 1085 (Application for a New Zealand Working Holiday) either by contacting your local NZ Immigration office and requesting an application pack or by downloading it from the NZ Immigration website. Click here to download it.
Complete the application form using your own personal details. You are not asked to provide evidence of funds at the time of application but you may be required to do so on entry to New Zealand. Remember to attach a recent passport photo to your application form and sign it!
Obtain the address of your local NZ Immigration branch and the fee charged to process this at your branch. To do this click here.
Check if you need to complete a Temporary Entry X-Ray Certificate. For information on countries who need to complete this, see the NZ Immigration Health Requirements Leaflet.
Send your completed application form through to your local NZ Immigration branch along with:
Details of how you will leave NZ after your Working Holiday (return flight or funds available)
Any evidence thats shows you meet the requirements of a specific scheme
