WORKING-HOLIDAY
Short-stay work-and-travel visa for young adults from countries with working holiday agreements with New Zealand. Standard 12-month duration; extended schemes for Canada (23 months) and the United Kingdom (36 months). One-off — available once per person per lifetime.
The Working Holiday Visa isn’t a single visa category — it’s an umbrella for dozens of country-specific schemes, each governed by its bilateral agreement between New Zealand and the partner country. The schemes vary in:
Before you apply, confirm your country’s specific scheme terms on the INZ page — application windows for capped schemes are narrow, and missing one means waiting for the next annual opening.
You must be a citizen of a country with a working holiday agreement with New Zealand and apply under that specific country's scheme. Each country has its own conditions, quota (where applicable), and opening window. If your country isn't on the list, the working holiday route isn't available — alternative work visas may apply.
Typically 18 to 30 inclusive at the time of application. A small number of country schemes extend the upper limit to 35. The age applies at application — once granted, the visa remains valid even if you turn 31 (or 36) before arrival, provided you arrive within 12 months of issuance.
The Working Holiday Visa can only be granted once per person per lifetime. If you've previously held one (used or unused), you're not eligible for a second. This includes any prior scheme — switching countries after a previous WHV doesn't reset eligibility.
INZ requires you to demonstrate funds for your stay and either a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one. Your primary intent must be holiday — work and study are permitted but must remain secondary. You can't take up permanent positions or own a business while on the visa.
You can work under an employment contract during your visa period. Some country schemes restrict duration with a single employer. Study is permitted for up to 6 months in any 1 visa period. A 3-month seasonal-work extension is available for some country schemes in specified industries.
Standard INZ health and character requirements apply. Chest X-ray may be required depending on your country of origin and the length of your intended stay. Police certificates may be requested at INZ's discretion. Convictions or prior immigration breaches affect eligibility.
INZ application fee: Application fees vary by country scheme and applicant nationality. Refer to INZ for the current fee under your specific country agreement.
ProVisas advisory fee: Standard Working Holiday applications rarely require adviser involvement. Where advice is genuinely useful (prior immigration history, character issues, transitioning from a previous visa), fixed-fee per case where the pathway is standard; time-based for complex matters.
INZ government fees are passed through at cost. We don't mark up government charges.
Processing times vary by country scheme. Many schemes operate annual quotas that open and close during specified windows — applications must be lodged when the scheme is open. Once granted, you must arrive in New Zealand within 12 months of visa issuance, or the visa lapses.
A Working Holiday Visa is a short-stay holiday-primary visa with incidental work rights — typically 12 months, with restrictions on employer continuity and a one-off lifetime limit. A Work Visa (such as AEWV) is employment-led, requires a job offer from an accredited employer, has no employer-continuity restrictions, and can be longer. The two serve different purposes; you can't extend a Working Holiday Visa into a Work Visa, but you can apply separately for an AEWV if you secure a qualifying job offer.
Some country schemes allow a 3-month extension if you've completed at least 3 months of seasonal work in specified industries (agriculture, horticulture). Beyond that, the Working Holiday Visa generally cannot be extended — you'd need to apply for a different visa category (Visitor, Student, or Work) before your WHV expires.
Depends on your country scheme. Some allow continuous employment with one employer; others impose a 3-month or 6-month limit per employer. Check the specific terms of your country's agreement on INZ — the rules are country-specific, not generic.
Yes — up to 6 months of study during the visa period. The study can be in 1 course or split across multiple courses. Study beyond 6 months requires a Student Visa.
No. The Working Holiday Visa is for the individual applicant only. Partners and dependent children must apply for visas independently in their own right (Visitor, Student, or Work, depending on circumstances).
Yes, but not as an extension — you apply separately for the next visa. If you find a qualifying job offer during your WHV, you can apply for an AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) and switch onto that. From AEWV, the pathway to residence runs through SMC6 points or, for some occupations, Green List residence categories. A licensed adviser can help map the right next step for your circumstances.
Last reviewed 2026-05-28. Source of truth: Immigration New Zealand →
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