Working Holiday Visa — New Zealand

The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa lets you travel and take up temporary work while you explore the country. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) manages the application process and makes all approval decisions.

What it covers

The Working Holiday Visa allows you to work and travel in New Zealand under one visa. You can take up employment to support your stay while moving around the country.

This visa is available only to young people from specific partner countries. Your nationality determines whether you can apply.

Key features:

• Permission to work in New Zealand
• Permission to travel within New Zealand during your stay
• Application processed by Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
• Approval isn’t guaranteed, even if you meet basic criteria

INZ assesses each application individually. You need to follow the instructions and submit the required form and supporting documents as directed by INZ.

Other New Zealand work visas—like the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), Essential Skills Work Visa, Specific Purpose Work Visa, or Post-Study Work Visa—serve different purposes. The Working Holiday Visa focuses on cultural exchange and short-term work, not long-term employment.

Quick summary

Here’s what you need to know before applying:

You apply directly through Immigration New Zealand (INZ) using the form and process specified by INZ.

Don’t confuse this visa with a Student Visa or employer-sponsored options like the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Each category has its own rules and conditions.

For current application steps, forms, and fees in NZD (NZ$), refer to the latest guidance from Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa directly through Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Use the correct forms, follow the instructions for your eligibility category, and submit all required evidence.

Download forms & instructions

Start at the official Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website. Download the current working holiday application form and the guide for your eligibility category.

INZ updates forms and instructions periodically. Don’t reuse an old version.

Pay attention to:

• The correct application form (such as Form INZ 1000 or Form INZ 1015, if applicable)
• Document checklists
• Signature requirements
• Any category-specific conditions

If you’re unsure whether another visa type fits your situation—like the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), Post-Study Work Visa, Essential Skills Work Visa, Specific Purpose Work Visa, or a Student Visa—review those categories separately before proceeding.

Complete, sign and submit

Complete every section of the form accurately. Don’t leave required fields blank.

You must:

• Answer all questions truthfully
• Attach all required supporting documents
• Sign where indicated
• Include any required evidence listed in the instructions

If a labor certification is required for your situation, complete it before you submit your application.

Review your entire package against the official checklist before filing. Missing documents or unsigned forms can delay processing or result in rejection.

Submit your application exactly as instructed by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Follow the submission method stated in the official form instructions.

Register interest & prerequisites

Some applicants must first register their interest in living and working in New Zealand before submitting a full application.

Follow the registration process described by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) for your country and eligibility category.

Before you apply, confirm that you:

• Meet the requirements of the working holiday category
• Use the correct application form
• Prepare all required supporting evidence
• Review official INZ instructions carefully

Requirements from other visa types don’t apply here. The process for a Working Holiday Visa differs from the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), Post-Study Work Visa, Essential Skills Work Visa, Specific Purpose Work Visa, and Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) handles all visa applications and makes all final decisions.

The New Zealand working holiday visa lets you combine travel with short-term work. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) expects you to keep your trip focused on holiday while using work to support your stay.

Balancing work and holiday

You must treat your stay as a holiday first and a work opportunity second. INZ assesses your application on the basis that travel remains your main purpose.

You can take short-term jobs to fund your time in New Zealand. This structure supports flexibility, not long-term employment.

If you want to move into a full-time or ongoing role, you may need a different visa. Options can include the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), Post-Study Work Visa, Essential Skills Work Visa, or Specific Purpose Work Visa.

Use the correct application form when you apply. INZ manages all decisions, and forms such as Form INZ 1000 or Form INZ 1015 may apply depending on your circumstances.

Always confirm your visa conditions directly with Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Typical limits and freedoms

Your visa conditions define what kind of work you can do and how it fits within your holiday. You must follow the conditions listed in your approval notice from INZ.

Working holiday visas generally allow flexibility in job type and location. They aren’t structured for permanent employment or long-term career progression in New Zealand.

If your plans change, you must apply for a different visa before breaching your conditions. Don’t assume you can shift into a Student Visa or work visa automatically.

Check your visa label or online account for:

• Work rights and any restrictions
• Length of stay
• Any study permissions
• Employer-related limits, if stated

INZ makes all final decisions. For detailed rules about your specific visa conditions, consult Immigration New Zealand directly.

Some working holiday makers can extend their stay beyond the initial visa, while others must switch to a different visa type. Your choices depend on your nationality, the length of your first visa, and whether you meet Immigration New Zealand (INZ) requirements.

Second-year eligibility

You can only apply for a second Working Holiday Visa if your country’s agreement with New Zealand allows it. Some nationalities get up to 23 months from the start, while others may qualify for an extra year after the first 12 months.

INZ decides eligibility based on your original visa category and whether you followed the conditions. You must:

• Hold a valid Working Holiday Visa
• Meet the age limits for your country (18–30 or 18–35)
• Comply with all visa conditions during your stay
• Apply before your current visa expires

INZ processes applications and issues decisions. You need to submit the correct form and supporting documents as required by your country’s agreement.

If you do not qualify for a second year, you cannot stay in New Zealand on an expired working holiday visa. You’ll need to apply for another visa category before your current visa ends.

Duration & category differences

Working Holiday Visa lengths depend on your nationality. Some agreements allow 12 months, while others allow up to 23 months total.

If you want to stay longer but don’t qualify for a second year, you must apply for another visa, such as:

• Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
• Specific Purpose Work Visa
• Student Visa
• Post-Study Work Visa (if eligible after study)

INZ manages applications using forms such as Form INZ 1000 and Form INZ 1015, depending on the visa type.

You cannot convert a Working Holiday Visa into an Essential Skills Work Visa if that pathway no longer exists. You must apply under a current, active visa category and meet its requirements.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) refuses working holiday visa applications when you fail to provide required medical evidence, leave gaps in language or documentation, or submit incomplete or incorrect forms. Most rejections come from missing evidence that INZ specifically asks you to provide.

Missing medical evidence

INZ can refuse your application if you don’t submit the required medical examination results. If your instructions require medical evidence and you skip it, INZ can’t assess whether you meet health requirements.

You must complete every required medical step before you apply or within the timeframe INZ sets. Filing first and planning to submit medical results later usually leads to refusal.

Check your INZ online account for specific requests. If medical evidence is mandatory, you must:

• Complete the required medical examination
• Submit all results in the format INZ specifies
• Attach the results to your application

Don’t assume prior medical submissions for another visa, such as a Student Visa, Post-Study Work Visa, Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), Essential Skills Work Visa, or Specific Purpose Work Visa, will automatically transfer. INZ assesses each application on its own record.

Language and document gaps

If INZ requires proof of English language ability and you don’t provide it, your application can be refused. You must supply clear evidence when language requirements apply.

Document gaps also cause problems. INZ expects complete supporting documents, not partial uploads or unclear scans.

Common issues include:

• Uploading incomplete documents
• Submitting documents that don’t match the information in your form
• Failing to include required approvals or supporting evidence

You avoid these problems by reviewing the document checklist in your INZ account and confirming that every required file appears before you submit.

If you previously applied under another category, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or Student Visa, don’t assume INZ will reuse earlier documents. You must provide the required evidence again if the system requests it.

Incomplete or incorrect filings

Incomplete or inaccurate information leads to delays and refusals. INZ assesses your eligibility based on the details you enter, and errors matter.

You must complete every field in the application form and make sure your answers match your documents. Even small inconsistencies can trigger further checks.

Use this checklist before you submit:

1. Review every section of the online form.

2. Confirm that all required documents are attached.

3. Check that names, dates, and passport details match exactly.

4. Ensure you completed any prerequisite steps.

The table below shows how common mistakes affect your outcome:

INZ makes decisions based on what you submit. If key evidence is missing or your form contains errors, INZ can decline your working holiday visa application.