Mexico Working Holiday Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Mexico Working Holiday Visa
Status	Closed for 2026
Stay	Up to 12 months
Cost	From NZD $770
Processing	80% within 2 weeks
Annual places	200 each year
Age	18 to 30 years
Citizenship	Mexican citizens only
Eligibility timing	Apply next year
Work rights	Temporary work; no permanent job
Employer limit	Up to 3 months per employer
Study	Up to 6 months
Medical insurance	Required for full stay
Travel facility	Multiple entries before expiry
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Citizenship pathway	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Family need separate visas
Visa record	eVisa issued if approved
Job offer	Not required
Extension	Possible after qualifying seasonal work

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Purpose

This visa allows eligible Mexican citizens to holiday, work and study in New Zealand.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be aged 18 to 30.
• Be a citizen of Mexico with a valid Mexican 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 your stay.
• Plan to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.

A previous working holiday visa for another country does not prevent eligibility.

Visa Status and Places

This visa is closed for 2026. You may apply next year.

There are 200 visas available each year.

Stay and Validity

You may 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 the date you enter New Zealand, if approved while outside New Zealand; or
• On the date it is issued, if approved while in New Zealand.

Work Rights and Conditions

You may work in temporary jobs for up to 12 months. You may work for any one employer for up to 3 months.

You must:

• Work under an employment contract or contract for services.
• Do legal work.
• Not take a permanent job.
• Not operate a business as an owner.
• Not provide commercial sexual services.
• Not invest in a business providing commercial sexual services.

You do not need a job offer to apply.

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

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

Travel

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

Required Evidence

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.
• Medical insurance evidence.
• Onward travel ticket, or funds to buy one.

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

Your onward-ticket funds must be additional to your NZD $4,200 living funds.

Medical insurance evidence may include an insurance certificate or insurer approval letter. Insurance may need to cover hospital stays.

Health and Character

You must answer health and character questions in the application.

Immigration New Zealand may request:

• A chest X-ray, medical examination, or both.
• Police certificates.

Medical evidence must be less than 3 months old when received. Police certificates must be less than 6 months old when submitted.

A criminal conviction or security risk may result in refusal.

How to Apply

1. Gather passport and supporting evidence.
2. Obtain certified English translations of required non-English police or medical certificates.
3. Apply online and in English.
4. Create or log into an online account.
5. Complete the application, upload documents and pay applicable fees.
6. Check your online account for updates.
7. Immigration New Zealand will email its decision.

If approved, you receive an eVisa.

Enter identity details exactly as shown in your passport. Incorrect details may delay the application, lead to decline, or result in refusal of entry.

Processing and Cost

• Cost: From NZD $770.
• Processing: 80% within 2 weeks.

Processing information and final costs depend on country details provided in the online system.

Arrival Requirements

You must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

You may submit it:

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

You can be refused entry permission if you are not a genuine visitor, no longer meet character requirements, have changed circumstances, refuse biometrics, 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 the extension application is being decided, Immigration New Zealand will normally issue an Interim Visa so you can remain lawfully.