New Zealand Working Holiday Visa: What You Need to Know
Have you ever considered living and working in another country?
A working holiday visa allows you to do just that.
Americans 18-30 years old who meet a few requirements are eligible to live and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months.
My visa was approved in June of last year and I’ll be starting work in New Zealand in the next few months. Here’s what I learned:
What is a working holiday visa?
A working holiday visa is a way for countries to attract young people to visit and vacation. They are not meant as a path to citizenship.
You are not allowed to take a permanent job while on a New Zealand working holiday visa and work must not be your main priority in visiting the country. The visa allows for unlimited entry/exit so that you can continue your travels in between working.
Typical jobs for WHV holders are in hospitality, tourism, and agriculture.
Requirements
- Age 18-30
- Onward plane ticket or $4200 NZD (about $2500 USD)
- Good health
- No criminal history
- Medical insurance
- Application fee
What questions did they ask?
- General demographic info (name, birthday, address)
- 2 forms of identification (including a passport)
- Health questions (yes/no to various diseases and ailments, especially your risk of TB)
- Criminal history questions (including if you’ve ever been deported from a country)
- The date you intend to enter New Zealand
- Confirmation that you meet the requirements and have the necessary funds
How long did it take?
Filling out the application took all of 10 minutes.
I was approved in about 72 hours. The current wait time on their official website says that 80% of applications are responded to within 5 weeks.
How much did it cost?
When I applied in June 2023, I paid $30 USD.
Currently, the application fee is around $258 USD.
You can check for updated requirements, fees, and processing times at the official New Zealand immigration website: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/working-in-nz/how-long-can-you-work-in-new-zealand-for/working-holiday-visa
My journey with my New Zealand working holiday visa starts this year! Stay tuned to find out the next steps and how I go about finding a job and a place to live.
