Complete guide: Everything you need to know about obtaining a Working Holiday Visa for New Zealand
The kiwi country, located in Oceania about 2000 km away from the Australian coastline in the south pacific ocean, attracts nearly 4 million people each year. Its marvelous landscapes are a dream to many adventurers and nature lovers, and the presence of its Polynesian roots, reflected on the Māori culture, intrigue and interest many people.
The New Zealanders or kiwi people, as they're commonly known, are friendly people and are characterized for warmly receiving tourists and foreigners. In addition, the country is mostly safe and counts with different transportation options to get to know the country in depth.
New Zealand counts with a Working Holiday Agreement with 35 countries across the world, which makes it possible young people between 18 and 30 or 35 years old (depending on the country) to get a visa that allows them to work in the country for a whole year.
We still haven't convinced you to take a leap and go to New Zealand? Here are 3 reasons to apply to a Working Holiday Visa, and everything you need to know about the process and requirements.
3 reasons to take the leap and travel to New Zealand
1. Reconnect with nature
New Zealand is a truly beautiful country, with an enormous amount of natural landscapes that make of the kiwi territory a dream destination for nature lovers. In New Zealand, you'll be able to visit a series of geotermal parks, mounts, volcanos, fiords, beaches and turquoise lagoons, and much more. You'll find a ton of trekking options that'll allow you to connect with nature and with your soul.
2. Enjoy the local culture
Given the New Zealander history, the cultural aspect in the kiwi country is characterized for possesing both English and Polynesian traits. Different studies suggest that the New Zealander islands were inhabited by people from the Polynesia between the years 1000 and 13000, and those who stayed in the territory constitute what is known as the Māori people.
Later, European maritime crews from different countries would run in to the islands, until the formal conquer of the country with the Waitangi treaty between the British crown and the Maori chiefs in 1840. As a result of this, European people began inhabiting the territory. Today. New Zealand is an independent country member of the British Commonwealth, and the fusion between both cultures -Māori and British- is still very present in daily life.
It is not weird to find this cultural fusion in everyday-events such as rugby matches. In events of this sport, of British origin, the New Zealander team has presented, in many occasions, a Haka or traditional Māori scenic art.
With your Working Holiday visa you'll have a full year to experiment this fusion and let yourself submerge in its roots. The māori people are kind and receive tourists warmly. Words in their language like Manaakitanga show the relevance of making people feel at home; and words like Katiakitanga show the priority Māori people give to the connection between the human being and the natural environment.
This connection is key in the kiwi life, and New Zealanders play an important role in guarding the nature and cultural roots of their country.
3. Get out of your comfort zone
Daring to leave your country of origin, family and friends is a hard decision for most people. It isn't easy to leave your personal comfort zone, and the process can also imply a lot of complications. But at the end of the day, the experiences and learnings throughout this process will be huge and leave an impact for the rest of your life.
Living in a foreign country, with a different culture and language than the one you grew up with, can be quite a challenge. A Working Holiday Visa allows you to experience this challenge for a short period of time. That way, you'll be able to experience what life abroad is like, knowing that after a year you'll get back home to what you've known your whole life. Nonetheless, you'll go back with a ton of stories and learnings to apply to your daily life. From speaking a foreign language to being able to stand up for yourself and gaining independence… A Working Holiday period will change your life forever and will help you grow as a person.
We already gave you three good reasons why a Working Holiday in New Zealand can be a great idea. Now we'll tell you more about the country, the application process and requirements you need to meet in order to get the Visa.
What is the cost of living in New Zealand?
A very importan part when planning to get a Working Holiday Visa, is to evaluate the financial aspects. The helo you through the process, we'll tell you what the minimum salary offered in New Zealand is, and how much is the cost of living there. Also, we'll help you evaluate how real is the possibility of saving money while living there.
First of all, you need to know that in New Zealand salaries can be collected in 2 different ways, depending on the kind of work you choose.
In the first place, if you work in the agricultural sector, it is most likely that you'll get payed for production rather than hourly. This means, you'll get payed, for example, for the amount of boxes of fruit you collect.
On the other hand, and probably in all other sectors besides the agricultural one, you'll be payed hourly-based. The minimum salary offered is 21.20 NZD, equivalent to about 13 USD. Keep in mind you'll get a small percentage of this amount deducted.
Regarding the local living costs, the website Yomeanimo calculates an average monthly expense considering four aspects: housing, food, transportation and extras. Based on this calculation, the average living expense in New Zealand is 1688 NZD (1039 USD) per month.
The same website calculates that, working 9 hours a day with a salary of 15NZD an hour, after taz deduction and adding the percentage of vacation pay, you'll be earning about 182 NZD a day. Considering a 5 work-day week, then you'll be able to earn 910 NZD a week and 3640 NZD a month.
Considering the average living expenses and average monthly income with the above mentioned calculations, you should be able to save about 1900 NZD a month. This makes the Working Holiday Program a great oportunity to generate some savings.
Did we convince you to apply for a Working Holiday Visa? Excellent! In the next few paragraphs we'll tell you everything you need to know in order to get your Visa approved.
Working Holiday Visa Requirements
You must possess a passport with at least 15 months validity (counting from the date you enter New Zealand) from one of the following countries.
✔️ Argentina
🤫Psst: You can get more details about the specific requirements for each country by clicking the one you're interested in.
You must have a credit card with an international quota. You must also show proof of funds when entering the country by presenting evidence of having at least 4200 NZD in your bank account. In addition to this, you'll be asked to show a ticket to leave the country, or at least 1000 NZD to buy one.
One of the most important requirements is to count with an international health insurance. On InternationalHealth.com you'll be able to quote from a wide variety of options that meet the criteria established by the New Zealander Government. With an international health insurance you will not only be protected when in kiwi territory but also across the world. If you're planning on traveling and getting to know Oceania and the Polynesia during your Working Holiday Period, an international health insurance is the best option for you.
Quote and compare international health insurance
Remember that each country might be asked for specific requirements, and that the ones mentioned above are only those that transversely apply to all of them. Did you know that, depending on your country of origin, you might even be asked for X-rays 😮? You can check all specific criteria by clicking the country on the above presented list.
Conditions and special rules
With your Working Holiday Visa, you'll be able to work in whatever field you like; however, you'll be asked to follow certain rules:
👉 Depending on your country of origin, you can't work with the same employer for more than 3 or 6 months.
👉 You cant work over 12 months in total.
👉 You cannot get a permanent job.
👉 You must respect legal boundaries, and not perform any kind of sexual work (or activities related to it)
It is not necessary to have a job offer before arriving in New Zealand. Upon your arrival, you'll have to process your IRD number in order to star working.
How to apply to a Working Holiday Visa for New Zealand?
To apply to this visa, you'll have to meet the requirements mentioned above, pay the processing fee (465NZD) and apply during the specific timeline determined for each country.
Application period
Each country has its own application period. You'll have to apply during said period, online, and from anywhere in the world. Here is a chart with the application dates for 2023 (you can check other countries by clicking them on the list presented above).
⚠️ Remember that the date and time corresponds to the New Zealander time zone, and you must therefore calculate the exact hour depending on where in the world you'll be when applying.
| Passport emission country | Date and time (Wellington, GMT+13) |
|---|---|
| Chile | October 19th 2023 10:00 AM |
| Argentina | September 14th 2023, 10:00 AM |
| España | To be confirmed |
| Peru | October 3rd 2023, 10:00 AM |
| Mexico | February 28th 2023, 10:00 AM |
| Uruguay | November 2nd 2023, 10:00 AM |
👀 Some countries do not have an application date and you'll be able to apply during the whole year. These are the same countries that offer an unlimited amount of Visas.
Number of Visas offered
The amount of Visas offered will depend on the country. Here is a chart with the details, and you can check the amount offered by other countries by clicking them in the list above.
| Country of passport emission | Amount of Visas offered |
|---|---|
| Chile | 940 visas |
| Argentina | 1000 visas |
| Brazil | 300 visas |
| Uruguay | 200 visas |
| Peru | 100 visas |
| Mexico | 200 visas |
| Spain | 2000 visas |
Costs
The Visa has a processing fee of 455 NZD (roughly 280 USD) an must be payed for with an international credit card, according to what is stated in the New Zealand's Government Immigration Services website.
Benefits of the New Zealander Working Holiday Visa
As many other WH visas, the New Zealander one offers many benefits to those who possess it. Here are some of them:
👉 Different to other visas, you can apply to this one from anywhere in the world, even from New Zealand.
👉 You'll be able to study or intern, but for no longer than 6 months.
👉 Once you've entered kiwi territory, you'll be able to leave and re-enter the country as many times as you like, as long as your Visa is still valid.
👉 You'll have up to 12 months to enter the country once your Visa has been approved.
👉 You can extend your Visa for 3 additional months having met some requirements, such as working for 3 months in a specified field, paying a 280NZD fee and applying before your Visa looses validity. Specified work fields are horticulture and viticulture, and you'll have to work either in plantation, mantainance, picking and/or packing.
FAQS
No, this is an individual visa and you're not allowed to travel with any kids and/or family dependants.
Yes, you can check the requirement list for each specific country in this list.
Updated to
Wednesday September 25, 2024
so that you are up to date.