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WORKING HOLIDAYS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The beach at Cathedral Cove is a popular stop on local boat or kayak tours.
The Coromandel
Cathedral Cove, The Coromandel
By Adam Bryce
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Home Things to do Holiday Types Working Holiday Working holidays: Frequently asked questions
Planning to work in New Zealand? Find answers to your questions about the Working Holiday Scheme visa.
If you’re aged between 18 and 30 (or 35 for certain countries), you may be eligible to work and explore New Zealand.
How do I apply for a working holiday visa?
You’ll need to submit an online application on the Immigration New Zealand website(opens in new window), unless you’re already in the country (see below).
Can I apply for the working holiday visa if I’m already in New Zealand?
Yes you can, but you’ll need a New Zealand postal address. You may also be asked to undertake a chest x-ray and medical examination once Immigration New Zealand receives your application. Applying while you’re already in the country means your visa application will take about four weeks to process (as opposed to five days or less if you do it online before you come), so plan ahead.
How much does a working holiday visa cost?
This will depend on which country you’re from. For example, it costs £215 for people from the UK. You will need a valid Visa or Mastercard to submit your application – this is the only way to pay the fee required. You are able to find out how much your specific country’s working holiday visa costs by working through the application steps.
You can view how it much it will cost by choosing your country(opens in new window) and viewing the visa information for that Working Holiday visa.
How long does it take to get the visa?
It usually takes up to 20 working days from the time you successfully submit your application online. You’ll receive an email either approving your visa or asking for more information.
Do I need to have a job to receive a working holiday visa?
No, you don’t need an offer of employment to get your visa and can find a job once you arrive. If you decide not to work while you’re here under the Working Holiday visa, that’s fine, as long as you have the money to fund your stay.
How much will I get paid in my job?
This obviously depends on what job you have, but the minimum wage(opens in new window) in New Zealand is currently $21.20 an hour. Do your due diligence to make sure you’re being offered a fair rate by a potential employer.
Can I have more than one job while I’m in New Zealand on the Working Holiday visa?
You may like to have more than one job to supplement your income while you’re in New Zealand – especially if you’re working part-time or for minimum wage – and this is fine. You can work as much as you like while you’re here. Different tax rates can apply to income from secondary jobs, so make sure to find out what taxes you may be eligible for. The Inland Revenue Department website(opens in new window) can help.
What do I need to give my employer to prove I can work in New Zealand?
You can show your employer a print out of your electronic work visa, log in to the Immigration New Zealand website to show them your visa, or they can call Immigration New Zealand to check that you’re allowed to work in this country. Your employer can also verify your entitlement to work using Immigration New Zealand’s online Visa Verification Service(opens in new window).
You’ll need to get an IRD number (which you can apply for online at ird.govt.nz(opens in new window)) to give to your employer for tax purposes.
What if my country isn’t a member of the working holiday scheme, or if I exceed the age limit?
You could be eligible for another type of visa that allows you to work in New Zealand based on your skills. The Immigration New Zealand website(opens in new window) is a good resource to help you research alternative options.
How much money do I need to bring?
This differs by nationality, but for Immigration purposes, you generally need to be able to show a minimum of NZ$350 a month or NZ$4200 for 12 months to meet living costs requirements while you’re here. A copy of your bank statement may be sufficient evidence of your available funds.
However, keep in mind that this is only the amount that Immigration New Zealand requires to prove you have enough funds to sustain your time in New Zealand. Your actual costs will vary based on what job you obtain and the amount of travel to do.
Do I need insurance?
This depends on your country’s Working Holiday Scheme requirements. You may need to get medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance for the length of your stay. Please refer to your country’s specific requirements on the Immigration New Zealand website(opens in new window).
What happens if I leave New Zealand for a while and then come back?
The Working Holiday visa is a multiple-entry visa. That means your Working Holiday visa is activated when you first arrive, but you’re free to leave New Zealand and return as many times as you like. Any time you spend outside of New Zealand will not be added to the total time your Working Holiday visa is valid for.
How many times can I get a working holiday visa?
The Working Holiday visa only applies once during your lifetime. If you want to stay for longer once you’re here, you can apply for another type of visa as a temporary worker, student, or resident. Check out the Immigration New Zealand site(opens in new window) for more information.
If you’re visiting New Zealand under the United Kingdom Working Holiday Scheme(opens in new window) for a 12-month stay, you may be able to extend your stay for up to a total of 23 months.
Looking for more information?
You’ll find full details about the Working Holiday Scheme(opens in new window) visa and your specific country requirements at Immigration New Zealand, including the online form to apply.
Need a bit more guidance?
You can get guidance from Immigration New Zealand(opens in new window) directly for free.
There are companies who can help you with your working holiday visa application, for a fee, like Working Holiday Starter and Work N Holiday.
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Working Holiday Visas
New Zealand has working holiday scheme agreements with many countries, allowing you to work in and explore our great country.
Every year hundreds of young people apply for New Zealand working holiday visas, and spend a year or two working in New Zealand.
Eligibility and criteria for working holiday visas
Working holiday visas are available to young people, usually aged 18 to 30, but 18 to 35 in a select few countries. They let you travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months, or 23 months if you are from the UK or Canada. If you apply for a 23-month visa, you must provide a General Medical Certificate.
Employment conditions
You cannot accept a permanent job offer while on a New Zealand working holiday visa. Employment conditions vary between the different countries. Check the details for your country’s working holiday visa scheme.
Studying and training courses
With your working holiday visa you can study one or more courses for up to 6 months in New Zealand. For example, you could study English for up to 6 months, do a Study Abroad programme for up to 6 months, or a short training course in New Zealand.
NOTE
You need to:
have enough money to pay for a return ticket, and
be coming mainly to holiday, with both work or a short amount of study your secondary intentions.
Available working holiday visa schemes
At 10am (NZDT) on 14 March 2022, the following working holiday schemes will open to applications:
Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA, Japan.
All others will open on a rolling basis.
When you can apply for a working holiday visa
This page is only a summary. Read more about working holiday schemes for the following countries and territories:
Working Holiday Visa Schemes
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
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United Kingdom
USA
Uruguay
Vietnam
Other visa options
If you are looking to work or stay longer, or come to New Zealand for a purpose other than a working holiday, there may be a more relevant visa you should consider:
Explore other visit visas
Explore work visas
Explore study visas
Start planning your trip
Once you have applied for your working holiday visa, it is time to start planning your trip. Explore these two useful Government websites to learn more about visiting, working and living in New Zealand.
100% Pure New Zealand — the official travel website
Live and Work New Zealand — a guide to living and working in New Zealand
