Visa snapshot
Work 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
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).
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.
Apply Now →Get ready for New Zealand
Sort out the essentials before you arrive, from banking and mobile data to flights, accommodation and insurance.
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.
Your first-week checklist
The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.