Working Holiday Schemes

Earn yourself a holiday!

The ideal way to tour New Zealand, make money and have some fun.

New Zealand has agreements with 31 countries for people to enjoy seasonal work here. The New Zealand Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) work permit or work visa allows you to be in New Zealand for up to 12 months (or 23 months for UK), and to work for up to three months for any one employer.

You can apply for a WHS permit if you meet all these criteria:

• you're from one of the countries listed below
• you're between 18 and 30 years old
• you're not bringing children with you
• you haven't done this before
• you have enough funds to support yourself while you're here and to purchase a return ticket.

Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) Countries

How to apply

Apply for a WHS permit before you leave your home country, or as a visitor already in New Zealand.

Extend your stay by working in horticulture or viticulture

Overseas visitors with a WHS permit who have worked for three months in the horticulture or viticulture industries during their working holiday can extend their work permit for a further three months!

You will need to provide evidence of employment in horticulture or viticulture such as letters from your employers and Inland Revenue Department statements.

Download an application form.