Ireland Working Holiday Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Ireland Working Holiday Visa
Stay	Up to 12 months
Cost	From NZD $770
Processing	80% within 2 weeks
Age eligibility	18 to 30 years
Nationality	Irish citizen with valid passport
Entry timing	Enter within 12 months
Work rights	Lawful temporary work only
Job offer	Not required
Study	Up to 6 months
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple entries before expiry
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Family need their own visas
Visa record	eVisa issued if approved
Funds required	At least NZD $4,200
Extension	Possible after seasonal work

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Purpose

This visa lets Irish citizens holiday, work and study in New Zealand.

You do not need a job offer to apply.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be aged 18 to 30.
• Be an Irish citizen with a valid Irish passport.
• Have a passport valid at least 3 months after visa expiry.
• 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 costs.
• Plan to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.

Working holiday visas from countries other than New Zealand do not prevent you applying.

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 entry to New Zealand, if approved while you are overseas.
• On the date of issue, if approved while 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 must pay tax on New Zealand earnings and need an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number.

Study

You can study or train for up to 6 months total.

Travel

You can travel in and out of New Zealand as many times as you like before the visa expires.

Family

Partners and children cannot be included. They must apply for their own visas.

Evidence and documents

Required when applying

• Passport details.

May be requested after applying

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

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

Funds for an onward ticket must be additional to the NZD $4,200 living-cost requirement.

Translation requirements

Provide certified English translations of required police and medical certificates not in English, plus scanned copies of original documents.

Other non-English evidence may be translated to help avoid processing delays.

Evidence validity

• Medical examination or X-ray evidence: less than 3 months old.
• Police certificates: less than 6 months old when submitted.

How to apply

1. Gather your passport, funds evidence and onward-travel evidence.
2. Apply online in English through the Immigration New Zealand online service.
3. Upload required documents and pay applicable fees.
4. Log in to check application status.
5. Immigration New Zealand will email its decision.

If approved, you receive an eVisa.

Processing

The published processing indication is 80% within 2 weeks.

Immigration New Zealand may request further information while processing your application.

Arrival obligations

Complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration before travel:

• By air: from 24 hours before your journey begins.
• By sea: from 24 hours before your ship leaves its last overseas port.

Customs and Biosecurity requirements also apply.

Important warnings

You may be refused entry permission if you:

• Are not a genuine visitor.
• Do not meet character requirements.
• Have changed circumstances since visa issue.
• Refuse biometric collection.
• Cannot show onward travel or sufficient funds to leave New Zealand.

Ensure all identity details exactly match your passport. Incorrect names or passport dates may delay, decline or affect entry permission.

Staying longer

You may be eligible for a further 3 months if you complete 3 months of seasonal work in viticulture or horticulture.

See the Working Holiday Extension Work Visa.