New Zealand working holiday visa for US citizens

This page shows the main requirements for United States citizens who want to get a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa. The information is for holders of a United States passport who normally live in the USA. You must be aged 18 to 30 to be eligible for this visa scheme.

The visa allows a stay of up to 12 months. The application fee starts from NZD $770, and you must have proof of at least NZD $4,200 in available funds. The program was, when checked, open for applications. With this visa, you can work in temporary jobs and study for a total of up to 6 months.

Passport

United States

Age range

18 to 30

Stay

Up to 12 months

Fee

From NZD $770

Funds

NZD $4,200

Status when checked

Open

Conditions for US citizens

• Normally live in the USA.

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 some other working holiday schemes, New Zealand’s program for US citizens has a specific residence requirement: you must normally live in the USA. Also, be aware that this is a one-time opportunity. You can only get this visa once, and it cannot be cancelled or deferred even if you do not use it. For those who are visa waiver nationals, it is critical to correctly fill out the New Zealand Traveller Declaration to ensure the working holiday visa is not replaced with a visitor visa upon arrival.

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 US citizens

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

Full list: working holiday visas for US citizens.

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