Visa snapshot
Verified on 19 June 2026Work and study
- Work rights
- Any job, but: no permanent job; must work for an employer under an employment contract or contract for services; cannot operate a business as an owner (wording rolled out from 20 Apr 2026; France/Germany pages still show older wording). No per-employer time limit stated.
- Study rights
- Study or training up to 6 months total
Funds and health
- Funds required
- NZD 4,200
- Levy or extra cost
- IVL NZD 100 included in the NZD 770 total (stated verbatim on UK page; headline 'From NZD $770' on all pages)
Extensions
- Further stay
- Available, conditions apply
Quota or ballot
- Allocation
- Not capped (absent from official capped-schemes table)
- No ballot
Reciprocal healthcare
- Agreement in place
- No
- Private health insurance needed
On this page
Eligibility at a glance
- Passport: This route is for Irish citizens, so you must apply on a valid Irish passport.
- Age: You must be aged 18 to 30 when you apply, not when you travel.
- Funds: NZD 4,200
- Health: Must meet New Zealand health requirements
Eligibility and conditions
Who can apply
No medical insurance requirement on official page. Health & character; police certificates may be requested; onward ticket or funds; no previous NZ WHV (per lifetime).
- Ireland passport holder
- Aged 18 to 30 at time of application
- Sufficient funds: NZD 4,200
General conditions
One NZ WHV per lifetime (even if unused). Must arrive within 12 months of grant. Online application only, while scheme is open. Capped schemes (UK 15,000; Korea 3,000 in 2026) open on set dates, first-come until filled - no ballot. Onward ticket or funds required.
Health cover
EXEMPT from the medical-insurance visa condition (one of four exempt nationalities: UK, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia).
Funds to show
Standard NZD 4,200 funds.
Extensions
Second visa extension
UK: apply for balance of 36 months (Subsequent Work Visa, INZ 1223). Canada: 12-month holders can extend to 23 months total. ALL schemes: 3 months seasonal horticulture/viticulture work earns a 3-month Working Holiday Extension Work Visa.
Important application rules
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the New Zealand Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes 1-5 days.
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Essential setup
Banking
Open a local account soon after you arrive in New Zealand so you can get paid and skip foreign-card fees. Most banks let you start the application online before you land.
Mobile and connectivity
Set up a local number or eSIM in New Zealand for data and calls. The major networks have the widest coverage; budget MVNOs run on the same towers for less.
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SafetyWing
Travel medical insurance for your New Zealand working holiday.
Skyscanner
Compare flights to New Zealand from hundreds of airlines.
Hostelworld
Book your first nights in New Zealand. Hostels and budget stays.
Your first-week checklist
The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.