New-Zealand Working Holiday Visa: How to Apply Easily
The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa is particularly popular among young adults from the United Kingdom because it offers a long stay in a safe and attractive country, with the legal right to work and travel at the same time. For many applicants, it is a flexible way to gain international experience while financing their trip through temporary employment.
Most applicants primarily look for clear information on eligibility criteria, application costs, required documents, processing times and job opportunities once in New Zealand. These practical questions are essential to preparing a compliant application and avoiding delays or refusals.
This guide provides a step-by-step overview of the Working Holiday Visa for UK citizens, explaining how to apply, what to prepare in advance and what to expect before and after arrival in New Zealand.
- The visa is open to UK citizens aged 18 to 35, with no annual quota.
- It is granted directly for up to 36 months, starting from the first entry into NZ.
- Applicants must enter New Zealand within 12 months of visa approval to activate it.
- Proof of funds of at least NZD 350 per month of stay is required.
- Medical exams or police certificates are not systematic, but may be requested.
- Temporary work is allowed; permanent employment is not permitted.
- Study or training is allowed for up to 6 months in total.
- Travel and medical insurance is strongly expected for the full stay and may be checked on arrival.
What Is the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa?
The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa is designed for young UK citizens who wish to travel in New Zealand while working occasionally to support their stay. Typical applicants are individuals looking for a flexible long-term travel experience, often combining tourism, cultural discovery and short-term employment rather than pursuing a long-term career in the country.
Temporary and seasonal jobs are permitted, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, agriculture and tourism, while permanent employment and work outside the visa conditions are not allowed.
When approved, the visa is granted directly for a period of up to 36 months, without the need to apply for an extension. It allows multiple entries, meaning holders can leave and re-enter New Zealand during the validity period.
Unlike some other nationalities, for UK citizens there is no annual quota limiting the number of Working Holiday Visas issued.
New Zealand Working Holiday Visa UK
Eligibility Criteria for the NZ Working Holiday Visa
- 🛂 Be a British citizen and hold a valid UK passport valid for the entire intended stay (usually at least 15 months from the planned date of entry into New Zealand).
- 🎂 Be aged between 18 and 35 years inclusive at the time of application.
- 🌍 Apply from outside New Zealand and intend to travel primarily for holiday purposes, with work being secondary and temporary.
- 🚫 Have not previously been granted a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa; holding a working holiday visa for another country does not usually prevent applying for New Zealand.
- ✈️ Intend to leave New Zealand at the end of the visa or be able to demonstrate access to onward or return travel funds.
- 💷 Show sufficient funds to support the beginning of the stay: at least NZD 350 per month of stay. Evidence can be a bank statement, cash, travellers’ cheque or a credit card with available credit.
- 🩺 Meet health requirements set by Immigration New Zealand; a medical examination or chest X-ray may be required in certain situations, depending on length of stay or travel history.
- 🧾 Meet character requirements; a police certificate may be requested, particularly if the applicant has lived 12 months or more abroad since the age of 17.
- 🛡️ Hold, or commit to obtaining, adequate travel and medical insurance for the full duration of the stay, which is generally expected and may be checked on arrival.
Eligibility conditions are set by New Zealand immigration authorities and may evolve, so they should always be confirmed through official channels before applying.
Can You Apply If You’ve Already Had a Working Holiday Visa?
If an applicant has already held a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa, they are generally not eligible to apply again, as this visa can usually only be granted once per person. This rule applies regardless of how long the visa was used.
However, having previously held a working holiday visa for another country (such as Australia, Canada or Japan) does not normally prevent applying for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa, provided all other eligibility criteria are met.
💡 As rules are set by immigration authorities and may change, individual situations should always be confirmed with Immigration New Zealand.
Documents Required to Apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
Here is a clear summary of the documents commonly required when applying for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa as a UK citizen. Requirements are set by immigration authorities and may vary depending on individual circumstances.
Document | Mandatory? | Useful information |
|---|---|---|
🛂 Valid UK passport | Yes | The passport must be valid for the entire stay; in practice, immigration authorities generally expect at least 15 months of validity from the intended entry date. |
💷 Proof of funds | Yes | Applicants must show access to sufficient funds to support themselves at the start of the stay. The required amount is set by Immigration New Zealand and may change. For UK citizens, this is usually interpreted as having access to at least NZD 350 per month of stay |
✈️ Return or onward travel evidence | Yes | A return ticket is not mandatory at the time of application if the applicant can demonstrate access to enough funds to purchase one. |
🩺 Medical certificate | Sometimes | May be required depending on length of stay, recent travel history or health declarations. |
🧾 Police certificate | Sometimes | May be requested if the applicant has lived in one or more countries for 12 months or more since the age of 17. |
🌐 Certified translations | If applicable | Any document not in English must generally be accompanied by an official or certified translation, as required by immigration authorities. |
How Much Does the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa Cost?
Here is a clear overview of the main costs to budget for when applying for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa, based on official immigration sources. Amounts are indicative and may change; conversions to pounds are approximate.
Type of cost | Amount (approx.) | Mandatory? | Useful information |
|---|---|---|---|
🧾 Working Holiday Visa application fee | £220–£230 | Yes | Government fee charged by Immigration New Zealand at the time of online application. Non-refundable if refused. |
🌱 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) | £15–£20 | Yes | Mandatory levy contributing to tourism infrastructure and environmental protection in New Zealand. Paid with the visa fee. |
🩺 Medical examination | £80–£300+ | Sometimes | Required only in specific cases, depending on length of stay, health declarations or travel history. |
🧾 Police certificate | £45–£60 | Sometimes | May be requested if the applicant has lived abroad for 12 months or more since age 17. |
🛡️ Travel insurance | £300–£600 | Strongly expected | Adequate medical and travel insurance is generally required for the full stay and may be checked on arrival. |
✈️ Flights and initial travel costs | £800–£1,200 | No | One-way or return flights from the UK to New Zealand, depending on season and departure city. Not required for the application itself but should be budgeted before departure. |
👉 Estimated minimum total (mandatory fees only): approx. £240–£250
Additional costs depend on personal circumstances. All fees and requirements are set by the relevant authorities and should be confirmed with official sources before applying.
As with the Australian Working Holiday Visa, travel insurance is not officially requested but it is strongly recommended to avoid paying huge amounts in case of health issue.
For example, a MRI scan alone can cost between NZD 1,500 and NZD 2,800, and even routine surgical procedures such as wisdom teeth removal can range from NZD 4,200 to NZD 5,800 in New Zealand when paid privately. These costs can escalate quickly without adequate health insurance, especially for unexpected events or injuries requiring specialist treatment.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa Online
Below is a clear, step-by-step overview of how UK citizens generally apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa online. The process is managed entirely by Immigration New Zealand and requirements may change.
- Create an Immigration New Zealand online account to access the Working Holiday Visa application. This account is used to complete the form, upload documents and track the application. 💡 A common mistake is creating multiple accounts or using inconsistent personal details that do not exactly match the passport, which can lead to delays.
- Complete the online application form with your personal details, passport information and background information. Health and character questions are used by Immigration New Zealand to assess whether additional documents, such as a medical examination or a police certificate, are required. 💡 All information must be accurate and truthful, even if no supporting documents are requested at the time of application.
- Upload supporting documents and pay the fees : required documents are uploaded directly through the online portal, usually in PDF or JPEG format. Applicants must then pay the visa application fee and the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) by card. 💡 Payments from the United Kingdom are generally accepted without issue, provided the card allows international transactions.
- Submit the application and wait for a decision : once submitted, applicants receive an online confirmation. Immigration New Zealand may approve the visa directly or request additional information, such as medical or police certificates. 💡 If approved, the visa is issued electronically, and applicants can prepare for travel in line with the visa validity conditions.
Processing Time and Visa Validity: What to Expect After Applying
How Long Does It Take to Get a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa?
Processing times for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa vary depending on individual circumstances and application volumes. For UK citizens, applications are often processed relatively quickly, and many are approved within a few days to a few weeks when no additional checks are required. Outside peak travel periods, decisions are commonly issued faster, but timelines are not guaranteed and may change.
Some applications take longer to process when Immigration New Zealand needs additional information. This can occur if health or character answers trigger a request for a medical examination or police certificate, if documents are missing or incomplete, or during high-demand periods when a large number of applications are submitted.
👉 For this reason, applicants are generally advised to apply well in advance of their planned departure date and to ensure their application is complete and accurate.
What Happens After Your Visa Is Approved?
Once the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa is approved, it is issued electronically and linked to the applicant’s passport. From that date, the visa has a limited activation period (generally 12 months), meaning the holder must enter New Zealand before the entry deadline specified in the visa condition.
👉 If the holder does not enter the country before the stated deadline, the visa may expire unused.
For UK citizens, the visa validity generally allows a stay of up to 36 months, starting from the first entry into New Zealand.
Working in New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa
What You Can and Can’t Do on a Working Holiday Visa
- ✅ Take on temporary or casual jobs to help fund your stay.
- ✅ Work for multiple employers during the validity of the visa
- ❌ Not engage in permanent or full-time long-term employment
- ✅ Undertake study or training for up to 6 months in total
Popular Jobs for Working Holiday Makers
- Agriculture and horticulture: fruit picking, vineyard work, farm roles.
- Hospitality: cafés, restaurants, bars, hotels and hostels.
- Tourism: activity centres, lodges, visitor attractions.
- Seasonal work: roles linked to peak tourist seasons or harvest periods, depending on region and time of year.
Do You Need a Job Offer Before You Go?
No, a job offer is not required to apply for or be granted a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa. Visa holders are free to look for work after arrival, as long as employment complies with the visa conditions. This flexibility is one of the main advantages of the working holiday scheme.
Tax, IRD Number and Getting Paid
To work legally, visa holders must apply for an IRD number (Inland Revenue Department number), which is required for tax purposes. Opening a New Zealand bank account is generally necessary to receive wages. Income earned in New Zealand is subject to local tax rules, and employers deduct tax at source. Basic tax obligations apply even for short-term or casual work, and requirements should be confirmed with New Zealand tax authorities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a NZ WHV
- Underestimating proof of funds : not meeting the minimum funds requirement can delay or compromise the application. Funds must be available and clearly documented.
- Answering health questions incorrectly : inaccurate answers may trigger additional checks or medical requests. All declarations must be truthful.
- Applying too late before departure : applying close to the travel date leaves little margin if extra documents are requested or during busy periods.
- Submitting inconsistent information : differences between the application and passport details can cause processing delays.
- Ignoring the entry deadline after approval : failing to enter New Zealand within the 12-month activation period may result in the visa expiring unused.
- Assuming requirements never change : visa conditions and thresholds can evolve and should always be confirmed with official sources.
- Not arranging adequate travel insurance : insurance is generally expected for the full stay and may be checked on arrival, with limited cover leading to issues.
Choosing a WHV-compliant travel insurance is an important part of preparing a compliant and secure stay.
Compare the best WHV insurance plansFAQ
UK citizens are generally granted the Working Holiday Visa for up to 36 months from the start, without the need for an extension. In most cases, this visa cannot be extended beyond this period. Any exception or change would need to be confirmed directly with Immigration New Zealand.
Yes, it is generally possible to apply for another type of visa (such as a work visa or student visa) while in New Zealand, provided eligibility criteria are met. Approval is not automatic and depends on the visa category and individual circumstances.
Travel and medical insurance is generally expected for the full duration of the stay and may be checked on arrival. While not always requested at the time of application, adequate insurance is strongly recommended to meet visa conditions and cover healthcare costs in New Zealand.
Yes, UK citizens can generally apply for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa from outside the United Kingdom, as long as they meet all eligibility requirements and apply from outside New Zealand.
No, a job offer is not required to apply for or be granted a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa. Visa holders are free to look for work after arrival.
Yes, short-term study or training is allowed for up to 6 months in total, provided it remains secondary to travel and complies with visa conditions.
Yes, the Working Holiday Visa allows multiple entries, meaning holders can leave and re-enter New Zealand during the visa validity period, as long as the visa remains valid.