Working holiday in New Zealand
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New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
for British citizens

Visa snapshot

Eligible age
18-35
At application
Initial stay
12, 23 or 36 mo
applicant chooses
Maximum stay
36 mo
With extensions
Visa fee
$770
NZD
Processing time
1-5 days
Typical

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 350 per month of stay
Health and insurance
Must meet New Zealand health requirements
Health and insurance details →

Extensions

Further stay
Available, conditions apply

Quota or ballot

Allocation
CAPPED: 15,000/year; 2026 intake opens 25 June 2026 (currently open)
No ballot

Reciprocal healthcare

Agreement in place
Yes
NZ-UK reciprocal health agreement (UK citizens only, ordinarily resident in UK); travel insurance still advised
Government sourceSource: immigration.govt.nz · How we verify →
On this page

Eligibility at a glance

  • Passport: This route is for British citizens, so you must apply on a valid British passport.
  • Age: You must be aged 18 to 35 when you apply, not when you travel.
  • Funds: NZD 350 per month of stay
  • Health: Must meet New Zealand health requirements

Eligibility and conditions

Who can apply

Must normally live in the UK/Crown Dependencies (not absent >2 yrs). 23+ month visas: General Medical Certificate + chest x-ray. Total stay >24 months: police certificate. No insurance requirement. Onward ticket or funds.

  • United Kingdom passport holder
  • Aged 18 to 35 at time of application
  • Sufficient funds: NZD 350 per month of stay

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.

Length and stay

  • Longest NZ stay of any nationality: up to 36 months.
  • 12 or 23 month holders can later apply for the balance of 36 months (new fee applies).

Funds to show

Funds are calculated per month of stay (NZD 350/month), not the flat NZD 4,200 most nationalities show.

Annual allocation

One of only two capped NZ schemes here (the other is South Korea).

Health cover

EXEMPT from the medical-insurance visa condition.

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

If you hold a second passport
One NZ WHV per person per lifetime (even if unused) - a second passport does NOT grant another NZ WHV.

How to apply

Check your eligibility
Make sure you meet all requirements including the age limit of 18-35 and hold a valid British passport.
Gather your documents
You will need your passport, a recent photo, health insurance details, and proof of sufficient funds.
Apply through the official portal
Submit your application through the official government portal. The fee is $770 and is non-refundable.
Wait for a decision
Processing typically takes 1-5 days. Most applications are decided within days.
Ready to apply?
Apply on the official government portal

Applications are submitted through the New Zealand Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes 1-5 days.

Apply Now →
This link leaves Working Holiday Essentials and opens the official New Zealand Government website.

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.

Other nationalities going to New Zealand

All routes to New Zealand →Where else British citizens can go →

Your first-week checklist

The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.