New Zealand - Working Holiday

Check additional requirements for your country

• Argentina,
• Belgium,
• Brazil,
• Canada,
• Chile,
• China,
• Czech Republic,
• Denmark,
• Estonia,
• Finland,
• France,
• Germany,
• Hong Kong,
• Ireland,
• Italy,
• Japan, Korea,
• Japan
• Korea,
• Latvia
• Malaysia,
• Malta,
• Mexico,
• the Netherlands,
• Norway,
• Peru,
• Singapore,
• Sweden,
• Taiwan,
• Thailand,
• UK,
• USA,
• Uruguay

United Kingdom

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of the United Kingdom for a stay of up to 23 months.*

Additional requirements:

• usually be permanently living in the United Kingdom – this means you can be temporarily visiting another country when you lodge your application
• have a minimum of NZ$350 per month of stay available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here

*Applicants under this scheme can select either a 12-month or 23-month stay in New Zealand. There may be a renewable option for those who select a 12-month stay

While in NZ:

• you must not work for a period exceeding 12 months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to six months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where applications for citizens of UK currently residing in UK must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Argentina

1000 places are available annually under this scheme to young citizens of the Argentine Republic for a 12-month stay in New Zealand. The scheme runs from 15 October each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where applications for citizens of UK currently residing in UK must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Belgium

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Belgium for a stay of 12 months.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Belgium must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Brazil

All available places for this scheme have been filled. The scheme will recommence on 1 September 2010.

There are 300 places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Brazil for a stay of 12 months. The scheme runs from 1 September each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Brazil must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Canada

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Canada for a stay of 12 months.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to six months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Canada must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Chile

The Chile working holiday scheme allows 1000 young citizens of Chile to stay in New Zealand for 12 months. The scheme runs from 1 October each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Chile must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

China

There are 1000 places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of China for a 12-month stay in New Zealand. The scheme runs from 1 October each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a senior high school qualification (gao zhong xue li) granted in respect of a minimum of three years’ full-time study
• have a level of proficiency in English that is assessed as at least functional *
• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

*An applicant’s proficiency in English is deemed to be at least functional if they can produce evidence of:

• an International English Language Testing System (IELTS), showing they achieved an average level of 4 over the four components of the test; or
• having completed all primary and at least three years’ secondary education where all instruction was in English; or
• having completed at least five years’ secondary education where all instruction was in English; or
• having gained a post-secondary qualification that required at least two years’ full-time study or training where all tuition was in English.

Applicants must apply for a visa online.

Manual or paper-based applications which are received by INZ will be returned to the applicant.

If your application is accepted in the online system, you will be advised by email and asked to send in further documentation to the appropriate receiving office (either Beijing or Shanghai Branch) within 60 days.

If the documentation is not received within 60 days, the branch may determine your application without it.

Czech Republic

There are 1200 places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of the Czech Republic for a stay of 12 months.

The scheme runs from 1 March each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Czech Republic must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Denmark

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Denmark for a stay of 12 months.

The scheme runs from 1 February each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Denmark must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Estonia

There are 100 places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Estonia for a stay of 12 months.

The scheme runs from 2 April each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Estonia must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Finland

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Finland for a stay of 12 months.

The scheme runs from 1 August each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Finland must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

France

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of France for a stay of 12 months.

The scheme runs from 1 August each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of France must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Germany

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Germany for a stay of 12 months.

The scheme runs from 1 August each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to sic months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Germany must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

There are 200 places available annually under this scheme to young residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for a stay of 12 months. The scheme runs from 1 April each year.

There are no places remaining under this scheme for the year to 31 March 2010. More places will become available on 1 April 2010.

Additional requirements:

• have a British National Overseas or HKSAR passport that‘s valid for at least three months after your planned departure from New Zealand
• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Hong Kong must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Ireland

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Ireland for a stay of 12 months.

The scheme runs from 1 August each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Ireland for a stay of 12 months.

The scheme runs from 1 August each year.

Italy

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Italy for a stay of 12 months.

The scheme runs from 1 August each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Italy must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Japan

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Japan for a stay of 12 months.

The scheme runs from 1 August each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Japan must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Korea

1800 places are available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Republic of Korea for a stay of 12 months in New Zealand. The scheme runs from 1 April each year.

There are no places remaining under this scheme. More places will become available on 1 April 2010.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Korea must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Latvia

There are 100 places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Lativa for a stay of 12 months.

The scheme runs from 2 March each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Latvia must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Malaysia

There are 1150 places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Malaysia for a stay of 6 months.

The scheme runs from 1 January each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$ 2,250 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Malaysia must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Malta

There are 50 places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Malta for a 12 month stay in New Zealand.

The scheme runs from 1 July each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Malta must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Mexico

There are 200 places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Mexico for a stay of 12 months. The scheme runs from 31 March each year until all 200 visas have been granted. There are no places remaining for the year to 30 March 2009. More places will become available on 31 March 2010.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Mexico must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Netherlands

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of the Netherlands for a stay of 12 months.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Netherlands must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Norway

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Norway for a stay of 12 months.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Norway must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Peru

There are 100 places available to young citizens from Peru each year. The scheme runs from 1 August each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you are here, if you produce evidence that you hold an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) level 5 or over in speaking and in one of the other three skills areas, or
• have a minimum of NZ$7,000 available funds to meet your living costs while you are here if you do not meet the English language requirement above
• provide evidence, verified by the Peru Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that you have completed a minimum of three years’ full-time study towards a tertiary qualification
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Peru must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Singapore

There are 200 places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Singapore who are either undergraduate students or graduates of a Singapore university or polytechnic. Successful applicants can stay up to 6 months in New Zealand.

The scheme runs from 1 November each year.

Additional requirements:

If you’re an undergraduate wanting to gain work experience in New Zealand before completing your study in Singapore you must be registered with a Singapore university or polytechnic.

If you’re a graduate of a Singapore university or polytechnic you must:

• apply for a Work Visa or Permit under this programme within three years from the date of your graduation
and
• have a minimum of NZ$2,250 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Singapore must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Sweden

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Sweden for a 12 month stay in New Zealand.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Sweden must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Taiwan

The scheme runs from 1 June each year

Additional requirements:

• have household registration under the laws of Taiwan
• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to six months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Taiwan must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Thailand

There are 100 places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of Thailand for a 12-month stay in New Zealand. The scheme runs from 1 July each year.

Additional requirements:

• have a tertiary qualification granted in respect of a minimum of three years’ full-time study
• have a level of proficiency in English that is assessed as at least functional (see below)
• have a minimum of NZ$7000 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit

Note: An applicant’s proficiency in English is deemed to be at least functional if they:

• produce evidence of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS), showing they achieved an average level of 4.5 over the four components of the test; or
• produce evidence of having completed all primary and at least three years’ secondary education where all instruction was in English; or
• produce evidence of having completed at least five years’ secondary education where all instruction was in English; or
• produce evidence of having gained a post-secondary qualification that required at least two years’ fulltime study or training where all tuition was in English; or
• are assessed by way of an interview with an Immigration New Zealand visa or immigration officer who speaks fluent English.

Please note that if you apply online you may be required to send additional information to the Immigration New Zealand receiving office in Bangkok.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Thailand must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

United States of America

There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of the United States of America for a stay of 12 months.

Additional requirements:

• usually be permanently living in the United States of America – this means you can be temporarily visiting another country when you lodge your application
• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of the USA must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.

Uruguay

There are 200 places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay for a 12-month stay in New Zealand.

Additional requirements:

• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enroll in one or more courses of training or study of up to three months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please click here to find out where visa applications for citizens of Uruguay must be sent: www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply online.