Age
18–30 at application
References: NZ-BE NZE-BE-PRIMARY
New Zealand passport / Working Holiday
Working Holiday in Belgium for New Zealanders (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.
Confirm the current fee, annual allocation and application dates with the issuing authority before applying.
Key facts at a glance
- Age
- 18–30 at applicationLearn moreReferences: NZ-BE NZE-BE-PRIMARY
- Length of stay
- Up to 1 yearLearn moreReferences: NZ-BE NZE-BE-PRIMARY
- Initial funds
- At least EUR 2,500 plus return travelLearn moreReferences: NZ-BE NZE-BE-PRIMARY
- Visa fee
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: NZE-BE-CHECKLIST
- Annual quota
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: NZE-BE-PRIMARY
- Application dates and timing
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: NZE-BE-PRIMARY
- Language
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: NZE-BE-PRIMARY
- Study
- Up to 3 months in totalLearn moreReferences: NZ-BE NZE-BE-PRIMARY
- Work
- No maximum employment period specified in the agreementLearn moreReferences: NZ-BE NZE-BE-PRIMARY
New Zealand →BelgiumWorking Holiday in Belgium for New Zealanders (2026)
Requirements, application steps and preparation before departure.
Step 1
Check requirements and language preparation
Length of stay
Up to 1 year
References: NZ-BE NZE-BE-PRIMARY
Initial funds
At least EUR 2,500 plus return travel
References: NZ-BE NZE-BE-PRIMARY
Visa fee
The service page lists EUR 180 visa and EUR 80 service charges, while the January 2026 checklist also requires a separate Home Affairs administrative payment. Its current amount and applicability must be resolved before quoting a complete cost.
References: NZE-BE-CHECKLIST
Annual quota
BE: The inspected programme instructions do not establish an annual outbound New Zealand allocation. This is not evidence of unlimited places.
References: NZE-BE-PRIMARY
Application dates and timing
BE: The inspected instructions do not establish a dated annual New Zealand application window. Follow the authority’s application route and appointment instructions.
References: NZE-BE-PRIMARY
Language
BE: The inspected New Zealand-passport instructions do not specify a language-test threshold. This does not establish a general exemption from all document or employment language requirements.
References: NZE-BE-PRIMARY
Explore language courses →Passport
The January 2026 checklist also requires two facing empty pages.
References: NZE-BE-CHECKLIST
Insurance
Include medical repatriation, urgent medical/hospital care and death-related costs. Australian Medicare wording is not a New Zealand exemption.
References: NZE-BE-CHECKLIST
Documents and participation
Obtain the original NZ Ministry of Justice Criminal Conviction Information and apostille from Internal Affairs. Both police and approved-doctor medical certificates must be no older than six months.
References: NZE-BE-CHECKLIST
Step 2
Apply through the official route
- Complete the VisaOnWeb form and read the current mission-linked Working Holiday checklist.
- Arrange the approved-doctor certificate and NZ criminal record apostille; prepare insurance, bank statements and holiday plan.
- Confirm the Home Affairs administrative charge and delegated service appointment, then submit the signed form and complete evidence.
- Wait for the mission’s decision and check the visa’s dates before final travel commitments.
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
Plan the apostille and approved medical appointment before certificates expire. Keep departure funds separate from EUR 2,500 maintenance and check that the policy covers the full Schengen stay.
- 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
Keep the visa, insurance, itinerary and funds evidence available at entry. Ask the municipality about residence registration; salaried work does not require a separate work permit under this scheme, but regulated occupations may require recognition.
Work
An employer’s own hiring policy is not a universal visa limit. Holidaying must remain the main purpose.
Study
Up to 3 months in total
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.
Up to 3 months in total
Other destinations to compare
- Working Holiday in Argentina →
- Working Holiday in Austria →
- Brazil - source note →
- Working Holiday in Canada →
- Working Holiday in Chile →
- Working Holiday in Croatia →
- Working Holiday in Czechia →
- Working Holiday in Denmark →
- Working Holiday in Estonia →
- Working Holiday in Finland →
- Working Holiday in France →
- Working Holiday in Germany →
- Working Holiday in Hong Kong →
- Working Holiday in Hungary →
- Working Holiday in Ireland →
- Working Holiday in Israel →
- Working Holiday in Italy →
- Working Holiday in Japan →
- Working Holiday in South Korea →
- Working Holiday in Latvia →
- Working Holiday in Lithuania →
- Working Holiday in Luxembourg →
- Malaysia - source note →
- Working Holiday in Malta →
- Working Holiday in Mexico →
- Working Holiday in the Netherlands →
- Working Holiday in Norway →
- Peru - source note →
- Working Holiday in the Philippines →
- Working Holiday in Poland →
- Portugal - source note →
- Working Holiday in Singapore →
- Working Holiday in Slovakia →
- Slovenia - source note →
- Spain - source note →
- Working Holiday in Sweden →
- Working Holiday in Taiwan →
- Working Holiday in Thailand →
- Türkiye - source note →
- Working Holiday in the United Kingdom →
- Working Holiday in Uruguay →
- Working Holiday in Vietnam →
Frequently asked questions
Is the three-month employer limit universal?
No. The Belgian authority says the agreement specifies no maximum employment period. An agency or employer’s own three- or six-month hiring policy is separate from immigration permission.
References: NZE-BE-PRIMARY
Explore language courses →How much can I study?
Study and training together must not exceed three months. Do not interpret the absence of an employer limit as unlimited study.
References: NZE-BE-PRIMARY
Which NZ criminal record should I obtain?
The checklist names Ministry of Justice Criminal Conviction Information, no older than six months, with an apostille from Internal Affairs. It says notarisation is not required.
References: NZE-BE-CHECKLIST
Can my usual doctor issue the medical certificate?
Use a doctor approved by the Belgian mission and the prescribed form. The medical certificate must be no older than six months.
References: NZE-BE-CHECKLIST
Does EUR 2,500 cover return travel too?
No. The checklist requires maintenance funds and a return itinerary, or a one-way itinerary with additional funds for the return leg.
References: NZE-BE-CHECKLIST
How long should I allow for a decision?
The mission describes about one month, variable by season, and approximately three months in complicated cases. These are estimates, not guaranteed appointment or decision dates.
References: NZE-BE-PRIMARY
Official sources
Research consulted: 17 October 2026. Check current requirements with the issuing authority before applying.
2026-10-17 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
ORIGIN · MFAT - outbound Working Holiday directory
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-17 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
NZ-BE · Belgium - official New Zealand-passport reference
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
NZE-BE-PRIMARY · BE issuing authority - New Zealand Working Holiday
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.