Many young travellers apply for a New Zealand working holiday visa to work and explore the beautiful country known as the long white cloud.

New Zealand has working holiday scheme agreements with many countries. Depending on your country of citizenship applicants must be between 18-30 years old, however some countries allows applicants up to 35 years of age. You may stay in New Zealand for up to 12 months, and those from Canada and the UK can stay up to 23 months.

You are permitted to study in New Zealand with this visa for up to 6 months.

You can find out more about the differenet working holiday schemes here.

There is plenty of short-term and casual work available and many employers prefer backpackers for such Travel Work New Zealand positions. New Zealand employers place a great deal of importance on previous work experience so past references are strongly recommended. Likewise, you should provide character references showing that you are responsible, hard-working and trustworthy. Several copies of a neatly printed résumé are essential.

Remember that the seasons are reversed in New Zealand. As you will probably be there for a year, you will have the chance to experience all four seasons down under. In practical terms, New Zealand students start their summer break in mid-November and are potential job competition. So, if you are going before Christmas, we recommend that you obtain your first job as soon as you can on arrival.

New Zealand has a thriving tourist industry and there are always employers in offices, hotels, shops and restaurants looking for seasonal help. Agricultural work is also plentiful. When you arrive, find out which crops are in season and how to find this type of work.

Finding Work whilst on a Working Holiday Visa
Plan your internet job hunting strategy before you go. Think about how you can get one step ahead of the thousands of other young job hunters who arrive each year. Don’t limit your search to the main cities. If you have friends or relatives in New Zealand, write to them for advice. One of your school departments may already have an academic exchange to New Zealand. Research the many and varied tourist areas and work out how far in they are from Auckland. Talk to people who have already been to gain some inside knowledge.

Adopt a flexible “no worries” attitude about the type of work you are willing to do. Your main asset should be your willingness to take (or at least try) any kind of work, anywhere in New Zealand. You may, for instance, be prepared to follow the holiday/snow/crop seasons around the country. Combining short-term jobs wherever you happen to be with seeing New Zealand’s varied scenery is always popular.

You may be eligible to get a working holiday scheme Work Visa or Permit if:

1. you’re from a country that has a working holiday scheme agreement with New Zealand
2. you’re aged over 18 and under 30 years (or 35 years depending on citizenship)
3. are not bringing children with you
4. you haven't been in New Zealand under a working holiday scheme before
5. you have enough funds to purchase a return ticket and support yourself during your stay

You’ll only be able to get a visa or permit if there are places available and you meet the scheme requirements.

You’ll need to pay a fee when you apply for a working holiday visa scheme.

If you want to change the length of time you can stay or, for example, you want to take up permanent employment, you can apply for another visa option:

1. student visa
2. long term temporary worker

Citizens from the following coutnries can obtain a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa:

What you need to know about applying for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

Applicants from most countries can only apply for the working holiday visa online.

Depending on your country of citizenship you will need to show evidence of funds between NZ $2250 - $4200 to live on during your stay in New Zealand.

Applicants are not permitted to bring any children with them. Those who wish to join the applicant in New Zealand will have to apply for their own visa.

Also, those on a New Zealand working holiday visa are not allowed to accept a permanent job. Some working hliday visa schemes also restrict you from working for the same employer for over 3 months. Again, check out the official immigration new zealand website for exact requirements.

BEWARE: There are a restricted number of visas that can be approved for each scheme. Make sure you apply early!

What if a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa is not an option for you?

If you don't meet the requirements or your country does not have a working holiday visa scheme, such as Switzerland, there may be other visa options you can consider such as a:

• Visitor Visa
• Work Visa
• Student Visa

If you require assistance / professional visa help from a New Zealand registered immigration agent, please fill out the form below!