USA Working Holiday Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	USA Working Holiday Visa
Stay	Up to 12 months
Cost	From NZD $770
Processing	80% within 2 weeks
Age	18 to 30 years
Eligibility timing	Enter within 12 months
Work rights	Temporary jobs; no permanent work
Study	Up to 6 months
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple entry until expiry
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Family need separate visas
Visa record	eVisa
Job offer	Not required
Funds required	At least NZD $4,200
Medical insurance	Full cover required

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Purpose

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

Eligibility

You must:

• Be aged 18 to 30.
• Be a USA citizen with a valid USA passport.
• Normally live in the USA. You must not have been outside the USA for more than 2 years immediately before applying.
• 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.
• Have onward travel arrangements, or enough additional money to buy a ticket.

You cannot apply if Immigration New Zealand has previously granted you a New Zealand working holiday visa. Working holiday visas for other countries do not prevent eligibility.

Stay and Validity

You can stay for up to 12 months.

If approved while outside New Zealand, enter within 12 months of visa grant. The visa starts when you enter New Zealand. If approved while in New Zealand, it starts on the grant date.

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.

Work Rights and Conditions

You may work in any legal temporary job, provided that:

• You work under an employment contract or contract for services.
• 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.

No job offer is required.

You need 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

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

Family

Partners and children cannot be included. Each family member who wishes to travel to New Zealand must apply for their own visa.

Required Evidence

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

• Proof you normally live in the USA, such as home-address letters or employer references.
• Evidence of NZD $4,200 funds, such as bank or credit-card statements.
• Medical insurance certificate or insurer approval letter.
• Onward ticket, or funds to purchase one.
• Medical examination or chest X-ray results.
• Police certificates.

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the visa expires.

If required:

• Medical examination or chest X-ray results 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.

How to Apply

1. Gather required documents and evidence.
2. Apply online in English through the online 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 Requirements

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

Entry permission may be refused if you:

• Are not a genuine visitor.
• No longer meet character requirements.
• Have changed circumstances since visa grant.
• Refuse biometric collection.
• Cannot show onward travel or sufficient departure funds.

Your visa conditions are recorded in your eVisa.

Staying Longer

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