Reopening of Working Holiday visa categories
As part of the 5-step approach to reopening NZ borders, the Government is reopening uncapped Working Holiday schemes from 14 March 2022. On 14 March 2022, the following working holiday schemes will open to applicants from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA, Japan. All others will open on a rolling basis with all schemes to be reopened by 13 September 2022.
Immigration New Zealand is also reactivating certain Working Holiday visas granted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previously-granted Working Holiday visas
People granted Working Holiday Visa from offshore have been unable to enter New Zealand due to border restrictions. As part of the staged reopening of New Zealand borders, the Government is granting new Working Holiday Visas to about 19,500 people who:
- were granted a Working Holiday Visa on or after 20 March 2019, and
- are offshore and have been unable to enter New Zealand, and
- have not subsequently been granted a new visa under a different category.
If you hold a valid Working Holiday Visa and are offshore, its dates have been extended to allow you to enter New Zealand.
Those who wish to travel to New Zealand on their newly granted or extended Working Holiday Visas can enter until 13 September 2022. Visas are valid for 12 months from the date of first entry.
