Complete Guide to New Zealand's Working Holiday Visa: Application Process, Cost, and Visa Requirements

Dreaming of exploring New Zealand's stunning landscapes while earning some money along the way? If you are a freelancer, digital nomad or simply love to travel the world and also be able to work, New Zealand offers a working holiday visa that may just be what you need. This visa allows young people from various countries to live and work in New Zealand for a set period.

If we’ve piqued your interest, keep reading to learn more about what this visa is, how to apply and some other key information about this visa scheme. We'll also talk about paying for your expenses in New Zealand, and introduce Wise travel card available to residents of supported countries as a convenient way to manage your money in NZ.

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What is a Working Holiday Visa in NZ?

A Working Holiday Visa (WHV) lets you experience life in New Zealand while working to support your travels. It's a popular option for those wanting to experience a new culture and explore the country. While not specifically designed for digital nomads, the WHV offers the flexibility to work remotely or take on local jobs.

Who is eligible for a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand?

Eligibility criteria for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa vary depending on your nationality. Generally, you must:

• Be between 18 and 30 years old (or up to 35 for some nationalities)
• Hold a passport from an eligible country
• Meet health and character requirements
• Have sufficient funds to support yourself

The working holiday visa in NZ is a visa designed to allow individuals of up to 41 nationalities who are aged between 18 and 30 to live and work in NZ.¹ In some cases, certain nationalities aged up to 35 may also be eligible. This visa is usually valid for 12 months, but this can vary with nationality.²

The main requirements to apply for a working holiday visa in New Zealand are the similar across the list of eligible nationalities. Let’s go through the main eligibility requirements.⁴

• Be of a nationality that is one of the 41 eligible NZ working holiday visa nationalities (you can see the list here)¹
• Be aged between 18 to 30, or up to 35 for certain nationalities
• Proof that you have at least $350 NZD per month available to live in New Zealand
• Be of good character and health
• Never had a NZ working holiday visa granted previously

Another thing to know is that there may be a cap on how many visas are granted each year for certain nationalities. This can affect whether it is possible to apply for a working holiday visa if application numbers have exhausted the caps.²

It is important to check the NZ immigration site, and the relevant nationality working holiday visa scheme to see if applications are still open or if any caps are exhausted or if there are any further requirements that need to be met for some nationalities.

How to Apply for a NZ Working Holiday Visa

You can apply for a Working Holiday Visa online through the Immigration New Zealand website. The application process involves providing personal information, documentation, and paying the visa fee.

What documents do I need for a Working Holiday Visa application?

Be prepared to submit documents such as:

• Passport
• Proof of funds
• Return ticket or evidence of funds to purchase one
• Health and character certificates (if required)

How much does a Working Holiday Visa cost?

Visa fees vary depending on your nationality. You can find the current fees for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa on the Immigration New Zealand website.

How to pay for your visa application.

To pay for your visa, you can use a valid through the online NZ immigration visa application portal.⁵

If you want to save on conversion fees when paying in the local NZD, you can check out how Wise Card can help you save on paying international fees.

How long does it take to process a Working Holiday Visa?

Decision times can range from 16 days for 50% of applications or up to around 52 days for 90% of NZ working visas to be processed.⁶

Can I extend my Working Holiday Visa?

Visa extensions are generally not possible. However, some nationalities may be eligible for a second Working Holiday Visa under certain conditions.

Can I travel in and out of New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa?

Yes, you can leave and re-enter New Zealand multiple times while your visa is valid.⁸

Can I bring my family on a Working Holiday Visa?

No, this visa is for individual travelers. Family members would need to apply for their own visas.⁷

What are my obligations while on a Working Holiday Visa?

You must adhere to the conditions of your visa, which may include:

• Not taking on permanent employment
• Leaving New Zealand before your visa expires
• Maintaining good character

Main benefits provided by this visa type

The main benefits provided by a NZ working holiday visa include³:

• Working is optional if you have enough funds for your stay
• You can take on a 6-month study program during your visa
• Applicants can easily travel around NZ and experience a new culture
• You can take on multiple jobs in NZ as long as no position is permanent

From these benefits, you can see this visa is a great option for digital nomads as they can easily work and live from anywhere in NZ or combine freelancing with casual work opportunities across NZ.

How to apply for a working holiday New Zealand

It is possible to apply for a NZ working holiday visa inside or outside of NZ. You will need to apply online through the New Zealand immigration site. Here are the steps to apply online.

1. Visit the NZ immigration site here 2. Provide all the required documentation and evidence 3. Wait for the decision on your visa

If you are from the UK or Canada, you can apply for a 23-month visa, but you will also need to attach to your application:

• A New Zealand postal address
• Provide a chest x-ray and medical exam certificate as part of your application

Visa approvals are sent via email, so make sure to keep an eye on your inbox or your junk email if you don’t see a response.⁵

Documentation required

There are a few documents that you may need to have ready to meet some of the requirements for a NZ working holiday visa. Documents include⁴:

• Passport
• Inward travel ticket
• Outward travel ticket or proof you can afford a ticket out of NZ at the end of your visa
• Past passport as evidence you will be a genuine visitor to NZ
• Medical certificate
• Proof of funds which could be a bank statement
• Police certificate if your time in NZ will exceed 24 months
• Onwards travel ticket or proof of extra funds for onwards travel after visa expiration
• Proof of your residency in your home country

The NZ immigration authorities may ask you for more documentation that is not listed here at any time to support your application.

Read more: New Zealand Skilled Migrant Visa. The requirements, cost and time.

Application costs and fees.

Once you have gathered all the required documents listed above, you’ll need to pay for your visa to be processed. We’ll use the United Kingdom fees as an example. Your own nationality may vary from the below fees.

For a citizen of the United Kingdom applying for a 12-month visa, the fee will be $455 inside or outside New Zealand.⁵

New Zealand Immigration Contact
You can find all the ways to contact NZ immigration here. You can also call their Customer Service Centre: * on 0508 558 855 from within NZ * on +64 9 914 4100 from overseas

Paying for Expenses in New Zealand

New Zealand’s robust banking system allows you to make payments with cash, card, and mobile wallets such as Google Wallet or Apple Pay.

While you may be able to use your existing cards nearly everywhere in New Zealand, you'll need to be mindful of foreign transaction charges, and markups on exchange rates that make your purchases more expensive. Using a multi-currency travel card such as Wise is an excellent alternative with transparent exchange rates and low fees. Available in supported countries, Wise offers the mid-market rate on currency conversions, which is the usually the same rate you see on Google, ensuring that you don’t lose money to extra fees or hidden mark-ups.

Meet Wise: Your Smart Travel Companion for New Zealand

Wise offers a convenient travel card and money transfer services that make managing your finances abroad a breeze. The Wise card lets you spend like a local in over 150+ countries - including New Zealand.

Get started with Wise 🚀

Here's why Wise is a great choice for your travel to New Zealand:

• Excellent exchange rates: Always get the mid-market exchange rate – the same one you usually see on Google – so you get the most out of your money.
• Low, transparent fees: Say goodbye to hidden charges and hefty markups. Wise keeps its fees low and transparent, so you know exactly what you're paying.
• Convenient card and app: Use your Wise card to swipe like a local in supported countries, including New Zealand. Manage your money, track spending, and even freeze your card if needed, all through the Wise app.
• Cash withdrawals: Easily withdraw cash from supported ATMs abroad with low, transparent fees. But be mindful that ATM providers may charge their own cash withdrawal fees.
• International transfers: Send money abroad with the same mid-market exchange rates and low fees.

Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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Sources:

1. NZ MFA eligible nationalities
2. NZ immigration age requirement
3. NZ tourism FAQs
4. NZ WHS conditions & documents,
5. NZfees & steps to apply
6. NZ processing times
7. NZ visa validity Austria
8. NZ multiple entries and arrival requirements

Sources checked on: 19 October 2022