New Zealand working holiday visa for UK citizens

This page is for United Kingdom passport holders interested in the New Zealand working holiday visa. The data shows the main requirements for the United Kingdom scheme. To be eligible, you must be aged 18 to 35. The visa allows for stays of up to 12, 23, or 36 months. A 12 or 23-month visa can be extended up to a total of 36 months with a Subsequent Work Visa.

The application fee starts from NZD $770, and you must have proof of funds of at least NZD $350 a month for your stay. The scheme was, when checked, open for applications. While in New Zealand on this visa, you can take on temporary work but cannot hold a permanent job. You are also permitted to study or train for up to 6 months in total.

Passport

United Kingdom

Age range

18 to 35

Stay

Up to 12, 23 or 36 months

Fee

From NZD $770

Funds

NZD $350 a month

Status when checked

Open

Conditions for UK citizens

• Normally live in the United Kingdom or the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
• Stays of 12, 23 or 36 months; a 12 or 23-month visa can be extended with a Subsequent Work Visa up to 36 months.

General rules of the program

• Temporary work for an employer under an employment contract or contract for services; no permanent job, and you cannot operate a business as an owner.
• Study or train for up to 6 months in total.
• You must arrive within 12 months of the visa being issued; the visa cannot be delayed or cancelled.
• You can only get a working holiday visa for New Zealand once, even if you do not use it.
• Apply online, in English, and only while the visa for your country is open for applications.
• Doing 3 months of seasonal work in horticulture or viticulture can make you eligible for a 3-month Working Holiday Extension Work Visa.
• Visa waiver nationals should tick 'I hold a temporary entry class visa' in the New Zealand Traveller Declaration, or the working holiday visa can be replaced by a visitor visa at the border.

What stands out

Unlike many other working holiday schemes, the New Zealand visa for UK citizens allows for a significantly longer stay of up to 36 months. The age range is also wider, extending up to age 35. A key condition is that applicants must normally live in the United Kingdom or the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man. It is also a single-opportunity visa; you can only get it once, even if you do not use it after it is issued.

How to apply, step by step

1. Open the page for your country's scheme and confirm it is open for applications (applications sent before the opening date are deleted).
2. Check you meet the age, funds, insurance and any country-specific education or English conditions.
3. Create an Immigration New Zealand online account, then apply online in English and pay the fee.
4. Answer the health and character questions; an X-ray, medical or police certificates may be requested.
5. Arrive within 12 months of the visa being issued.

Other programs open to UK citizens

From the programs in this directory. Status is shown only where the official page stated it.

Full list: working holiday visas for UK citizens.

All passports for this program: New Zealand working holiday visas by country.