Thailand Working Holiday Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Thailand Working Holiday Visa
Stay	Up to 12 months
Cost	From NZD $770
Processing	80% within 2 weeks
Eligibility age	18 to 30 years
Citizenship	Thai citizen with valid passport
Annual places	100 visas each year
Work rights	Temporary work; no permanent job
Employer limit	Up to 3 months each
Study	Up to 6 months
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple entry until visa expires
Citizenship pathway	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Family need separate visas
Previous visa record	No prior New Zealand working holiday visa
Arrival timing	Enter within 12 months
Funds required	At least NZD $7,000
Insurance	Full medical insurance required
Application method	Apply online in English

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Purpose

This visa allows eligible Thai citizens to holiday, work temporarily, and study or train in New Zealand.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be aged 18 to 30.
• Be a citizen of Thailand with a valid Thai passport.
• Hold a passport valid for at least 3 months after visa expiry.
• Not have previously held a New Zealand working holiday visa, even if unused.
• Have a tertiary qualification involving at least 3 years of full-time study.
• Speak and understand English.
• Provide a support letter from Thailand’s Department of Children and Youth.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Have genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand.
• Have at least NZD $7,000 for living costs.
• Hold full medical insurance for the entire stay.
• Have onward travel arrangements or enough money to buy a ticket.

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

English evidence

You may need evidence of one of the following:

• A tertiary qualification with at least 2 years of full-time English-language tuition.
• All primary education and at least 3 years of secondary education in English.
• At least 5 years of secondary education in English.
• An acceptable English language test result.

English test results must be less than 2 years old.

Stay and Visa 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 that period, it expires and you cannot apply for another New Zealand working holiday visa.

The visa starts:

• On entry to New Zealand, if approved while outside New Zealand; or
• On the visa issue date, if approved while already in New Zealand.

Work Rights and Conditions

You can work in any legal temporary job without a job offer, provided that:

• You work under an employment contract or contract for services.
• You do not take a permanent job.
• You work for any one employer for no more than 3 months.
• You do not operate a business as an owner.
• You do not provide, invest in, or operate commercial sexual services.

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.

Travel

After arrival, you may travel in and out of New Zealand as often as you wish before the visa expires.

Family Members

A partner or child cannot be included in this visa application. They must apply for their own visa.

Required Evidence

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

• Tertiary qualification evidence.
• English-language evidence or test results.
• Department of Children and Youth support letter.
• Bank statements, credit-card statements, bank drafts, or traveller’s cheques showing at least NZD $7,000.
• Medical insurance certificate or insurer approval letter, including hospital cover.
• Outward ticket or evidence of additional funds to buy one.
• Police certificates.
• Chest X-ray and/or medical examination evidence.

Medical examination or chest X-ray evidence must be less than 3 months old when received. Police certificates must be less than 6 months old when submitted.

Police and medical certificates not in English require certified English translations. Scanned copies of original documents are required.

How to Apply

1. Gather passport, qualification, English, financial, insurance, support-letter, and onward-travel evidence.
2. Apply online in English through the Immigration New Zealand online service.
3. Upload documents and pay the applicable fee.
4. Provide further information if requested.
5. Check application status online; Immigration New Zealand will email its decision.

If approved, you receive an eVisa.

Arrival Requirements

Before travel, complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration:

• By air: from 24 hours before your journey begins.
• 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 funds to leave.

Staying Longer

If you complete 3 months of seasonal work in the viticulture or horticulture industries, you may be eligible for a further 3 months through a Working Holiday Extension Work Visa.

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