Age
Applicants must be Chinese citizens aged 18 to 30, normally living in China and living there when applying, alongside the other conditions. Matching the age range does not establish eligibility.
References: CN-NZ
Chinese passport / Working Holiday
Working Holiday in New Zealand for Chinese citizens (2026)
Check the essential requirements, then follow the five stages to prepare your application and trip.
Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
China’s education, residence and English conditions must each be met. Other nationalities’ English-medium exemptions, lower test thresholds or employer limits do not apply to this scheme.
Key facts at a glance
- Age
- 18–30 yearsLearn moreReferences: CN-NZ
- Length of stay
- Initial stay up to 12 monthsLearn moreReferences: CN-NZ
- Initial funds
- At least NZD 4,200 plus departure travelLearn moreReferences: CN-NZ
- Visa fee
- From NZD 770Learn moreReferences: CN-NZ
- Annual quota
- 1,000 annuallyLearn moreReferences: CN-NZ
- Application dates and timing
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: CN-NZ
- Language
- An accepted English test is requiredLearn moreReferences: CN-NZ NZ-ENGLISH
- Study
- Up to 6 months totalLearn moreReferences: CN-NZ
- Work
- Temporary work; up to 6 months per employerLearn moreReferences: CN-NZ
China →New ZealandWorking Holiday in New Zealand for Chinese citizens (2026)
Requirements, application steps and preparation before departure.
Step 1
Check requirements and language preparation
Length of stay
The stay is up to twelve months, normally from first entry if you are outside New Zealand when approved. Enter within twelve months of issue; missing that deadline or not using the visa does not permit another first Working Holiday application.
References: CN-NZ
Initial funds
At least NZD 4,200 is required for living costs, with departure travel or money to buy it separately. Evidence can include bank or credit card statements, provided as INZ requires.
References: CN-NZ
Visa fee
The page gives a starting price of NZD 770, rather than a fixed total for every case. Follow the official charge for your application; examinations, insurance, translations and flights cost extra.
References: CN-NZ
Annual quota
The annual quota does not establish remaining places. Check INZ application arrangements.
References: CN-NZ
Application dates and timing
This research does not establish the next application date or time zone. Check INZ announcements directly; the annual quota establishes neither when submission is possible nor remaining places.
References: CN-NZ
Language
For example, IELTS overall at least 5.5 or another approved test. Sit at a test centre; results must be no more than 2 years old when applying. English-medium study does not replace China’s test requirement.
References: CN-NZ NZ-ENGLISH
Explore language courses →Passport
The passport must remain valid at least three months beyond visa expiry. Names, number and expiry in the application must match the passport; allow time for renewal if needed.
References: CN-NZ
Insurance
Full medical insurance must cover the entire stay, including hospital treatment. INZ may request the insurance certificate or confirmation from the insurer.
References: CN-NZ
Documents and participation
Normally and currently live in China; you must not have been outside your country for more than 2 years immediately before applying. Provide CSSD verification and English translations. No previous New Zealand Working Holiday visa grant, even unused.
References: CN-NZ
Step 2
Apply through the official route
- Check the China scheme’s age, normal-residence and application-location conditions; prepare CSSD education verification and accepted English test results early.
- Prepare passport details, supplementary form INZ 1027, residence evidence, funds and insurance, and check medical and translation requirements.
- Under official application arrangements, apply in English through INZ and pay the displayed charge; provide verification reports, test results and other evidence as requested.
- Wait for the decision and check the eVisa, planning entry within twelve months of issue. Complete the traveller declaration before departure and prepare evidence for possible entry checks.
Step 3
Read your approval and entry conditions
Read the entire approval notice: identity, dates, entry deadline and conditions. Keep it available offline. Do not assume the visa starts on your preferred date.
Step 4
Get ready for the trip
Obtain evidence of at least three full-time senior-high-school years and a CSSD verification report, with English translations of both. China’s scheme requires an accepted test; English-medium education does not directly replace it. Check the two-year result validity, residence evidence and INZ 1027. Prepare NZD 4,200, separate departure costs and full-stay insurance; arrange an X-ray or examination under the health questions and official requirements.
- Passport, visa and requested evidence accessible offline.
- Initial funds, insurance and departure costs checked separately.
- First accommodation and airport transport arranged.
Step 5
Start your Working Holiday
Enter with the approved eVisa and valid passport within the required period and complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration. Keep insurance, living-funds and departure evidence available. Check IRD tax number instructions before working, and follow the six-month same-employer and six-month total study or training limits.
Work
You may take permitted temporary jobs, but no more than six months with one employer. You cannot take a permanent job or operate a business as owner; a job offer is not required before applying.
Study
Study or training is limited to six months in total during the stay. English courses count towards this limit; check the appropriate visa for a longer course.
Explore language courses →Language courses · commercial service
Plan a language course for your trip.
Through ViveCampus you can request language-course quotes with international-student discounts. Offers may vary by your country of origin and destination. A personalized quote confirms available discounts and the final price. Booking a course does not guarantee a visa.
Study or training is limited to six months in total during the stay. English courses count towards this limit; check the appropriate visa for a longer course.
Other destinations to compare
Back to destinations for Chinese passport holdersFrequently asked questions
Can a Chinese citizen studying abroad apply directly?
The scheme requires normally living in China and living there when applying. INZ also says you must not have been outside your country for more than two years immediately before applying; check your own residence history.
References: CN-NZ
Explore language courses →Does my senior-high-school certificate need verification?
Yes. The qualification must involve at least three full-time senior-high-school years and be verified by CSSD; provide the qualification, report and English translations of both as requested after applying.
References: CN-NZ
Can English-medium education replace the test?
China’s scheme requires an accepted English test. IELTS, for example, requires an overall score of at least 5.5; other listed tests are possible, with test-centre and two-year validity conditions.
References: CN-NZ NZ-ENGLISH
Must I always get another chest X-ray?
It depends. The page sets a specific rule for applications in China, Hong Kong or Macao where you have spent six consecutive months in China since the previous X-ray and plan more than six months in New Zealand. Follow your health history and INZ instructions.
References: CN-NZ
Can I work for one employer for a year?
No. The China scheme allows temporary work but no more than six months with one employer; a twelve-month stay does not remove that limit.
References: CN-NZ
Can I apply again if I never use the visa?
No. A previous New Zealand Working Holiday grant prevents another application even if you never entered. Check the deadline to enter within twelve months of issue carefully.
References: CN-NZ
Official sources
Research consulted: 18 October 2026. Check current requirements with the issuing authority before applying.
2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
CN-NZ · INZ - China Working Holiday Visa
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.