Visa Guides: How To Get A New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

Ah, New Zealand, a land of enchanted beauty, where the rolling hills and sparkling waters beckon adventurers from far and wide. With its kind-hearted locals, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes, it’s no surprise that so many wanderlust-stricken souls yearn to work and travel in this magical realm. Luckily, the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa offers the chance to do just that! Not only can you bypass the typical tourist visa limit of three months, but you can also extend your stay and truly soak up everything that New Zealand has to offer, letting you embrace the wonders of this land with open arms. If you’ve landed here, you probably have a tonne of questions on how to get an New Zealand working holiday visa, so keep reading for a digestable run-down of how to apply, entry requirements and cost. 

How to get a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa 

So you’ve decided you want to live and work in the Land of The Long White Cloud – great choice, and you certainly won’t regret it! You’ll get to live like a local, traverse majestic landscapes, and fully immerse yourself in the rich Maori culture, the possibilities for adventure are truly endless in Aoteroa.

When I first landed in New Zealand I came armed with my Working Holiday Visa and got to work in Auckland, eventually extending my 12 months to 23 months, and then gaining my Essential Skills Visa (which a whole new world of stress and admin, a guide for another day). 

About New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

Are you ready to fund your dream trip to New Zealand by working along the way? With a New Zealand working holiday visa, you can do just that! But before you start packing your bags, it’s important to understand the basics of what you can and can’t do with this type of visa. Here are some benefits of holding a New Zealand working holiday visa:

• Extend your stay beyond the typical tourist visa limit of three months, getting to stay for up to 23 months, and work for up to 12 months.
• Gives you the chance to fully immerse yourself in the local culture, explore scenic landscapes, and experience exciting adventures and work along the way. 
• Enjoy unlimited re-entries to New Zealand during the duration of your visa, allowing you to easily leave and return to the country as many times as you’d like.
• Unlike Australia’s working holiday visa program, you can extend your New Zealand working holiday visa from 12 to 23 months without the need to complete specified farm work.
• There are no restrictions on the type of work you can do while on a New Zealand working holiday visa. You can work in any industry, including full-time and part-time jobs, self-employment, and freelance work.
• You can also enroll in short-term courses, such as language classes or vocational training, while on your working holiday visa. This is a great opportunity to learn new skills and improve your career prospects.

Visa Requirements for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa 

Before you go jumping for joy at the sound of a New Zealand working holiday visa, there are a few requirements that you will need to meet before applying. The following requirements are for those applying for the Working Holiday Visa for the first time and NOT extending their current 12 month visa to a 23 month (there are different and additional requirements for extending). According to New Zealand immigration you must:

• Be between 18-30 (up to 35 from select countries). You can check if you’re from an eligible country here. 
• Must have a valid passport that will be valid during your entire stay in New Zealand. 
• Evidence you have minimum of NZD $4,200 (around £2,200) in you bank*. 
• Have some form of travel insurance that will last the length of your visa. 
• Fulfill the fundamental health and character requirements These will be evaluated based on the responses you provide in your working holiday visa application. They are straightforward inquiries about your medical history and criminal record.
• Not have children or plan on bringing any children along to New Zealand with you. 
• Must NOT have previously been granted a New Zealand working holiday visa. 
• Similarly, if you have had a working holiday visa in New Zealand or have previously been declined for a visa, you may not be eligible to apply.

*This is hotly contested between backpackers and locals alike, but is listed as a requirement on the immigration website. I personally have never been asked for evidence of funds when arriving in NZ or Australia. The only time I have ever had to provide evidence of monetary support was extending my New Zealand working holiday visa to 23 months, and then applying for my essential skills visa. My take? Have funds available just incase (a credit card statement will also suffice). 

Visa Cost

Once you’ve determined that you’re eligible for a New Zealand working holiday visa, the next step is to apply. As with any visa, there is sadly a cost. The application process is done online, and the current fee, via the New Zealand immigration website, is priced at NZD $245 (around £125). You must pay this fee when you apply, otherwise your application will not be submitted. 

Travel Insurance 

If you’re planning to participate in New Zealand’s working holiday program, it’s important to note that having travel insurance, including medical coverage, is mandatory. The New Zealand government requires all working holiday participants to maintain medical insurance while in the country, and they may ask for evidence of your insurance upon arrival.

in any case, it’s a pretty good idea to have some form of travel insurance wherever you go. In addition to the New Zealand visa requirements, travel insurance provides crucial medical and repatriation coverage in case of sickness, injury, or accidents while abroad. No one is immune to serious accidents or illness, so having travel insurance is a must for peace of mind during your working holiday adventure.

How To Apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa 

Met the criteria and have the funds to apply today? How exciting! 

Applying for a New Zealand working holiday visa can be done online and is a super straightforward process once you have your government portal account. Before submitting, ensure you have chosen the correct visa, and that you have enough money to pay the fee ( as they will not process the application until you pay).  When it’s submitted, make a note of the transaction reference number for your records; it’ll come in handy if you need to contact immigration with any problems.

1. First, create a free account on the New Zealand immigration website. 
2. Once you have your account, go to Working Holiday Schemes and click “click here to apply”. 
3. Make sure to select your country of origin and then fill out all the fields. 
4. After that, go to the personal tab and click on identification. To complete this section, you will need a valid passport and another form of identification. Once you’ve completed all of the required fields, click Save.
5. You will then need to fill in the mandatory health and character questionnaire. 
6. Pay the fee. 
7. Voila! You’ll receive your visa within 14 days. 

Approval Process

You’ve now officially applied for your New Zealand working holiday visa AKA the experience of a lifetime.  Once you’ve submitted your visa application, you’ll receive an approval email from Immigration New Zealand once they have made their decision. It’s up to you to choose your preferred method of notification during the application process. This exciting email will include your application number, client number, the date your visa will become valid, and any visa conditions. You will need to print a copy of your approval letter for the first time you entire New Zealand.

The great news is that your visa will be attached to your passport electronically (if your passport allows you to enter through airport e-gates). This means that you can breeze through the airport without having to show a physical copy of your visa grant letter every time. 

And that, my friends, is how to get a New Zealand working holiday visa. All in all, the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa is an incredible opportunity to work and travel in the worlds most beautiful country. I initially went for 12 months, and ended up staying for three years. So I can confidently say you won’t regret this choice. 

If you’re looking for some New Zealand travel inspo from an honary local, check out my whole New Zealand blog category 🏔

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🍷 48 Hours On Waiheke Island 

💦 A Guide To Omanawa Falls 

🚗 The Best Day Trips From Auckland (According To The Locals)