Germany Working Holiday Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Germany Working Holiday Visa
Purpose	Holiday, work, study
Stay	Up to 12 months
Cost	From NZD $770
Processing	80% within 2 weeks
Age	18 to 30 years
Citizenship eligibility	Federal Republic of Germany
Eligibility timing	Enter within 12 months
Work rights	Temporary work; no permanent jobs
Study	Up to 6 months
Medical insurance	Required for entire stay
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple entries before expiry
Citizenship pathway	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Family need separate visas
Visa record	eVisa issued if approved
Job offer	Not required
Funds required	At least NZD $4,200
Extension	Possible after qualifying seasonal work

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Purpose

This visa allows eligible German citizens to holiday in New Zealand while undertaking temporary work, study or training.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be aged 18 to 30.
• Be a citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Hold a valid German passport.
• Not have previously held a New Zealand working holiday visa, even if unused.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Have genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand.
• Have at least NZD $4,200 for living expenses.
• Hold full medical insurance for your entire stay.
• Have onward travel arrangements, or enough money to buy a ticket.

The money for onward travel must be in addition to the NZD $4,200 living-expense requirement.

Stay and visa validity

You can stay for up to 12 months.

You must enter New Zealand within 12 months of visa issue. You cannot delay or cancel the visa. If you do not arrive within 12 months, it expires and you cannot apply for another New Zealand working holiday visa.

The visa starts:

• On your arrival, if approved while outside New Zealand; or
• On the approval date, if already in New Zealand.

Work rights and conditions

You may work in any job if:

• You work under an employment contract or contract for services.
• The work is legal.
• You do not take a permanent job.
• You do not operate a business as an owner.
• You do not provide commercial sexual services.
• You do not invest in a business providing commercial sexual services.

You do not need a job offer to apply.

You must pay tax on New Zealand earnings and need an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number.

Study

You may study or train for up to 6 months in total during your stay.

Travel

You may travel in and out of New Zealand as often as you like before the visa expires.

Family provisions

A partner or child who wants to travel to New Zealand must apply for their own visa.

Evidence and documents

When applying, provide your passport details. Immigration New Zealand may also request:

• Medical examination or chest X-ray evidence.
• Police certificates.
• Evidence of at least NZD $4,200.
• Medical insurance evidence.
• An onward ticket or evidence of funds to buy one.

Acceptable funds evidence may include bank statements, credit-card statements, bank drafts or traveller’s cheques.

Insurance evidence may include an insurance certificate or insurer approval letter.

Passport requirements

You must have a valid physical passport issued to you when applying. Your passport must remain valid for at least 3 months after visa expiry.

Enter identity details exactly as shown in your passport. Errors may delay, decline or affect entry permission.

Translation requirements

Provide:

• Certified English translations of required non-English police and medical certificates.
• Scanned copies of original documents.

Translations of other supporting documents may help prevent delays.

Medical and police evidence

If required:

• Medical examinations and chest X-rays must be less than 3 months old when received.
• Police certificates must be less than 6 months old when submitted.

How to apply

1. Gather your passport, insurance, funds and onward-travel evidence.
2. Apply online in English through the Immigration New Zealand online service.
3. Upload documents and pay applicable fees.
4. Check your online account for updates.
5. Immigration New Zealand will email its decision.

If approved, you will receive an eVisa.

Arrival requirements

Complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration before travel:

• Air travel: from 24 hours before your journey starts.
• Sea travel: from 24 hours before departure from the last overseas port.

Customs and biosecurity requirements also apply.

Important warnings

You may be refused entry permission if you:

• Are not a genuine visitor.
• No longer meet character requirements.
• Have had a change in circumstances.
• Refuse biometric collection.
• Cannot show onward travel or sufficient funds to leave New Zealand.

Your visa conditions are recorded in your eVisa.

Staying longer

You may be eligible for a further 3 months through a Working Holiday Extension Work Visa if you complete 3 months of seasonal work in New Zealand’s viticulture or horticulture industries.

If your temporary visa expires while an extension application is being decided, Immigration New Zealand will normally issue an Interim Visa.