Visa snapshot
Verified on 20 June 2026- Levy / extra cost
- IRP registration EUR 300 after arrival.
- Funds required
- NZD 5,000, or NZD 2,500 (or equivalent) plus a return ticket.
- Work rights
- You can take casual and temporary work without a separate employment permit, once you have registered your immigration permission and received your residence permit (IRP). Australian and New Zealand holders can work up to six months with any one employer; Canadian holders have no per-employer limit.
- Study rights
- Short courses and study are allowed alongside the authorisation.
- Extensions
- No extension
- Reciprocal healthcare
- No
- Private health insurance needed
- Quota / ballot
- Not capped (no published quota; rolling applications)
- No ballot
- Health & insurance
- No reciprocal public-health cover. Canadian applicants must hold a full year of comprehensive insurance at application; Australian and New Zealand applicants are not asked for it in the official application requirements, but going uninsured is a real risk.
Government sourceVerified on 20 June 2026 by the WHE research team · Source: ireland.ie · How we verify →
The detail
Eligibility & conditions
Who can apply
Open to New Zealand citizens aged 18 to 30. Apply via the Embassy of Ireland, Wellington, only.
General conditions
One Working Holiday Authorisation per person; activate it within 12 months of issue. After arrival, non-EEA nationals register their immigration permission and pay the residence-permit (IRP) fee, currently EUR 300.
Age limit
Age 18 to 30, narrower than the Australia and Canada routes (both 18 to 35).
Fee
Lowest stated fee of the three Ireland routes (NZD 120).
Work conditions
Casual and temporary work without a permit, valid once you hold an immigration registration card.
Application rules
Apply via the Embassy of Ireland, Wellington, only.
Application
How to apply
Check your eligibility
Make sure you meet all requirements including the age limit of 18-30 and hold a valid New Zealander passport.
Gather your documents
You will need your passport, a recent photo, health insurance details, and proof of sufficient funds.
Apply online
Submit your application through the official government portal. The fee is $120 and is non-refundable.
Wait for a decision
Processing typically takes a few weeks. Most applications are decided within days.
Ready to apply?
Apply on the official government portal
Applications are submitted through the Irish Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes a few weeks.
Apply Now →You will be taken to the official Irish Government website.
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