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New ZealandWork permitsLast checked October 30, 2026

Working Holiday Visa

country schemes · Official name: Working Holiday Visa (one scheme per partner country)

New Zealand runs separate working holiday schemes with partner countries. Each lets young people holiday and do temporary work, usually for up to 12 months (up to 23 or 36 months for the UK and Canada). Ages are 18 to 30 for most countries and 18 to 35 for some, including the UK and Canada. Some schemes have small annual quotas and extra education or English rules. Example: the UK scheme costs from NZD $770, has 15,000 places a year and needs at least NZD $350 a month for living costs.

See requirements ↓

Life in New Zealand

Finance

3

Currency

New Zealand Dollar

NZD

New Zealand Dollar

Cost of living

89

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

10.5–39%

Income tax (national)

GST 15%

39% applies to income over NZD 180,000; ACC earners' levy is charged in addition.

Official rates, 2025/26 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

7.0

#11 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Young adults from countries with a New Zealand working holiday scheme.

Eligibility

  • Country scheme and age

    Your age limit depends on the country scheme; each country has its own page and rules.

    Age range by country

    UK, Canadafor example
    18 to 35
    Most other countriesfor example France, Japan
    18 to 30
    • Age 18 to 30 also covers the Netherlands, Portugal, Brazil
    • Also covers China, the Philippines and Hong Kong SAR
    Official wording

    Each country has its own page and rules. Ages 18 to 35: for example the United Kingdom and Canada. Ages 18 to 30: most other countries, for example France, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Brazil, China, the Philippines and Hong Kong SAR.

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  • Example: United KingdomUnited Kingdom

    Under the United Kingdom scheme, you must be a UK citizen aged 18 to 35 who plans to leave at the end of the stay.

    United Kingdom scheme figures

    Age
    18 to 35
    Living expensesat least, a month
    NZD $350
    Placeseach year
    15,000
    • Normally living in the UK or the Crown Dependencies
    Official wording

    UK citizen aged 18 to 35, normally living in the UK or the Crown Dependencies; at least NZD $350 a month for living expenses; plans to leave at the end of the stay; 15,000 places each year.

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  • One working holiday only

    Applicants must not have had a New Zealand working holiday visa before, even if it was not used.

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