Korea Working Holiday Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Korea Working Holiday Visa
Purpose	Holiday, work and study
Stay	Up to 12 months
Cost	From NZD $770
Processing	80% within 2 weeks
Eligibility age	18 to 30 years
Citizenship eligibility	Republic of Korea citizen
Annual places	3,000 each year
Work rights	Temporary jobs only
Study	Up to 6 months
Medical insurance	Required for full stay
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple entry until expiry
Family sponsorship	Family need separate visas
Previous visa record	No prior NZ working holiday
Job offer	Not required
Visa format	eVisa
Application method	Apply online, in English

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Purpose

This visa lets eligible Republic of Korea citizens holiday in New Zealand while working temporarily and studying or training.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be aged 18 to 30.
• Be a Republic of Korea citizen with a valid passport.
• Hold 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.
• Hold full medical insurance for the entire stay.
• Have onward travel arrangements or enough money to buy a ticket.

Money for onward travel must be additional to the NZD $4,200 living-cost requirement.

Stay and travel

You can stay for up to 12 months.

If approved while outside New Zealand, the visa starts when you enter New Zealand. If approved while already in New Zealand, it starts on the date issued.

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 working holiday visa.

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

Work rights and conditions

You may work in any legal job if:

• You work under an employment contract or contract for services.
• You do not take permanent employment.
• 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.

A job offer is not required.

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

Study

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

Family

Partners and children cannot be included on this visa. Each family member must apply for their own visa.

Evidence and documents

When applying, provide your passport details.

Immigration New Zealand may later request:

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

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

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

If required:

• Medical certificates and chest X-rays must be less than 3 months old when received.
• Police certificates must be less than 6 months old when submitted.
• Non-English police and medical certificates require certified English translations.
• Provide scanned copies of original documents.

How to apply

1. Gather required evidence and translations.
2. Apply online in English through the working holiday application system.
3. Upload documents and pay applicable fees.
4. Check application status online.
5. Immigration New Zealand will email its decision.

If approved, you receive an eVisa.

Arrival obligations

Before travelling, complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration:

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

You may be refused entry permission if you are not a genuine visitor, no longer meet character requirements, have changed circumstances, refuse biometric collection, or cannot show onward travel or sufficient departure funds.

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 viticulture or horticulture.

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