United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa
Stay	Up to 12, 23, or 36 months
Cost	From NZD $770
Processing	80% within 2 weeks
Eligibility timing	Apply online now
Age	18 to 35 years
Citizenship	United Kingdom passport required
Residence	UK or Crown Dependencies
Funds	NZD $350 per month
Work rights	Temporary jobs; no permanent work
Study	Up to 6 months
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple entry until visa expiry
Citizenship pathway	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Family need their own visas
Visa record	No prior NZ working holiday visa
Annual places	15,000
Visa outcome	eVisa issued if approved

---

Purpose

This visa allows eligible United Kingdom citizens aged 18 to 35 to holiday, work and study in New Zealand. A job offer is not required.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be aged 18 to 35.
• Be a United Kingdom citizen with a valid UK passport.
• Normally live in the United Kingdom, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
• 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 $350 for each month of your stay.
• Plan to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.

To meet the normal-residence requirement, you must not have been outside your country for more than 2 years immediately before applying.

Stay and extensions

You can apply for a visa lasting up to 12, 23 or 36 months.

If you hold a 12- or 23-month visa, you may apply for a Subsequent Work Visa to extend your total stay to 36 months. You must be in New Zealand on a valid visa and provide:

• Evidence of NZD $350 per remaining month.
• Evidence of onward travel or funds for a ticket.
• A medical examination, if not previously provided.
• Completed application form, fee and immigration levy.

If you do not qualify for a subsequent visa, you may be eligible for a 3-month extension after completing 3 months of seasonal horticulture or viticulture work.

Work rights and restrictions

You may work in any legal job if:

• You work under an employment or services contract.
• 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 obtain an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number to pay tax.

Study

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

Travel

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

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 granted.

You must enter New Zealand within 12 months of visa approval. 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.

Health and character

You may need a medical examination, chest X-ray or police certificates.

For a 23- or 36-month visa, or where your total intended stay exceeds 12 months, you must provide a medical examination and chest X-ray unless acceptable evidence submitted with another application is less than 36 months old.

If you are aged 17 or older and your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or more, you must provide police certificates less than 6 months old from:

• Countries of citizenship.
• Countries where you spent more than 5 years since age 17.

Previously supplied police certificates may be accepted if issued within the last 24 months.

Required evidence

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

• Medical examination or chest X-ray evidence.
• Police certificates.
• Proof of normal residence in the UK or Crown Dependencies.
• Financial evidence for living costs.
• An onward ticket or funds to buy one.

Examples of financial evidence include bank statements, credit-card statements, bank drafts and traveller’s cheques.

Your onward-travel funds must be additional to your living-cost funds.

Your passport must remain valid for at least 3 months after visa expiry.

Police and medical certificates not in English require certified English translations. Submit scanned copies of original documents.

How to apply

1. Gather required documents and evidence.
2. Apply online in English through the Immigration New Zealand online service.
3. Upload documents and pay applicable fees.
4. Monitor your online account for requests and status updates.
5. Immigration New Zealand will email the decision.

If approved, you receive an eVisa. Your conditions are recorded in it.

Arrival obligations

All travellers must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

• Air travellers may submit it from 24 hours before travel begins.
• Sea travellers may submit it from 24 hours before their 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 enough money to leave.

Family

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

Important warnings

• You cannot hold a permanent job on this visa.
• A previous New Zealand working holiday visa prevents a new application.
• Incorrect identity details may delay or result in refusal.
• Provide complete documents to help avoid processing delays.
• If your temporary visa expires while an extension application is being processed, Immigration New Zealand will normally issue an Interim Visa.