Working Holiday Requirements: North America

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Applying for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

Young people aged between 18 and 30 can apply for a Working Holiday Visa and get the opportunity to travel to New Zealand and undertake employment during their stay.

Click Here to apply online for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

Working Holiday Visa Basic Requirements

To qualify for this scheme, applicants must:

Be a citizen of a country which has a working holiday agreement with New Zealand;
Meet Working Holiday basic requirements, such as age, health and character prerequisites; and
Meet specific criteria based on the applicant's country of origin, including the length of stay and available funds.

Through applying and paying for your Working Holiday Visa through the New Zealand Visa Bureau, your application will be managed through to completion by our Visa Processing Department.

You will also be given access to our Working Holiday Visa Platinum Package, which includes exclusive bonuses like free hostel nights, discounts and offers on activities and travel in New Zealand and provides assistance setting up such essentials like a New Zealand bank account, travel insurance and a New Zealand tax number. The service also entitles you to access our email and telephonic helpdesk to ensure that your New Zealand Working Holiday visa application is a seamless, simple process.

All applicants for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa must meet general requirements set out in the Generic Temporary Entry Policy, as well as be able to fulfil specific requirements based on their country of origin.

The following countries from North America have Working Holiday Visa agreements with New Zealand:

Canada; and
United States of America.

Canada

This scheme allows 2,000 young citizens of Canada annually:

To be issued a Work Visa valid for travel for 12 months from date of issue, and upon arrival in New Zealand to be granted a Work Permit for a maximum of 12 months; or
If applying from within New Zealand, to be granted a Work Permit valid for a maximum of 12 months.

To be eligible for a Work Visa/Permit under this scheme, applicants must:

Be citizens of Canada at the time of applying; and
Have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds for their maintenance during the period of stay in New Zealand.

United States of America

This scheme allows 5,000 young citizens of the United States of America (USA) annually:

To be issued a Work Visa valid for travel for 12 months from date of issue, and upon arrival in New Zealand to be granted a Work Permit for a maximum of 12 months; or
If applying from within New Zealand, to be granted a Work Permit valid for a maximum of 12 months.