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 (the only charge; fee + immigration levy waived under the Japan fee-waiver agreement).
Extensions
- Further stay
- Available, conditions apply
Quota or ballot
- Allocation
- Not capped
- No ballot
Reciprocal healthcare
- Agreement in place
- No
- Private health insurance needed
On this page
Eligibility at a glance
- Passport: This route is for Japanese citizens, so you must apply on a valid Japanese 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
Insurance: 'Who can apply' does NOT list medical insurance, but the documents list includes 'proof you have medical insurance' - page internally inconsistent (Japan is listed as insurance-EXEMPT on the official medical-insurance page).
- Japan 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 (per the official medical-insurance page). The Japan scheme page is internally inconsistent on insurance; the medical-insurance page is the controlling source.
Funds to show
Standard NZD 4,200 funds.
Application fee (offshore vs onshore)
Applying from outside New Zealand, Japanese citizens pay NZD 100 (the IVL only) — the NZD 215 application fee and NZD 455 immigration levy are waived under the New Zealand-Japan bilateral fee-waiver agreement. Applying from within New Zealand, the standard NZD 770 applies.
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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