New Zealand passport / Working Holiday

Working Holiday in the Netherlands 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.

The New Zealand-specific direct residence-permit route was read on the IND page updated 9 October 2026. Cultural exchange remains primary and entry or a pending application does not independently establish work permission.

Key facts at a glance

Age: 18–30 at applicationLearn moreReferences: NZ-NL-IND-18
Length of stay: Up to 1 year; no extensionLearn moreReferences: NZ-NL-IND-18
Initial funds: Enough for your stay plus departure travelLearn moreReferences: NZ-NL-IND-18
Visa fee: EUR 85Learn moreReferences: NZ-NL-IND-18
Annual quota: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: NZ-NL-IND-18
Application dates and timing: From abroad: no earlier than 90 days before travelLearn moreReferences: NZ-NL-IND-18
Language: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: NZ-NL-IND-18
Study: Short study or course onlyLearn moreReferences: NZ-NL-IND-18
Work: Occasional work; not the whole year with one employerLearn moreReferences: NZ-NL-IND-18

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Traveler beside the water, with shoreline scenery in the background.

Step 1

Check requirements and language preparation

Age

18–30 at application

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Length of stay

Temporary type-I residence permit for cultural exchange.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Initial funds

IND asks applicants to estimate their living costs. Do not treat another country’s fixed threshold as a Dutch requirement.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Visa fee

Follow the IND payment letter; do not pay another nationality’s consular route charge.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Annual quota

The page gives annual caps for specified other nationalities, not New Zealand. No New Zealand cap or unlimited entitlement is inferred.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Application dates and timing

This is an application lead-time rule, not an annual opening.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Language

The inspected route establishes no language exam; required foreign documents need legalisation and translation into Dutch, English, French or German as applicable.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

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Passport

Follow the general identity requirements and form; the MVV passport rule for other nationalities is not automatically applicable to New Zealand.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Insurance

Healthcare cover valid in the Netherlands

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Documents and participation

IND says you must not previously have had and stayed on a regular Dutch residence permit. Collect the form’s documents and attend biometrics/collection as directed.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Step 2

Apply through the official route

Use the IND route for New Zealand nationals; an MVV is not required.
Apply online, by post, or at an IND desk by appointment when in the Netherlands; from abroad apply no earlier than ninety days before travel.
Provide the form’s evidence and pay EUR 85 using the IND payment instructions; complete biometrics when requested.
Await the decision and collect the residence card by appointment after approval and biometrics.

Read the official instructions ↗

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

Estimate realistic living costs and reserve departure funds; IND does not supply a fixed support threshold here. Arrange healthcare insurance valid in the Netherlands and translations/legalisation where required. Do not use another nationality’s MVV process.

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

Read the residence-card work endorsement. Occasional work may support the exchange, including full-time work, but not the whole year for one employer. Self-employment is excluded; notify IND of relevant changes.

Work

Full-time work can be incidental support for the cultural exchange. Self-employment is not permitted.

NZ-NL-IND-18

Study

Short study or course only

NZ-NL-IND-18

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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.

Short study or course only

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Frequently asked questions

Do New Zealanders need an MVV?

No. IND explicitly permits the direct residence-permit route for New Zealand citizens.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

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Can I apply online before travelling?

Yes, but from abroad not earlier than ninety days before travel.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Is there a fixed funds amount?

IND asks applicants to estimate sufficient living funds and hold return travel or purchase funds.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Can I keep one job for the whole year?

The cultural-exchange work conditions expressly exclude the whole year with one employer.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Can I freelance?

IND says self-employed work is not permitted on this residence permit.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Can the residence permit be extended?

No. It is valid for at most one year and cannot be extended.

References: NZ-NL-IND-18

Official sources

Research consulted: 17 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.

NZ-NL-IND-18 · Netherlands IND: NZ route and conditions

Read the official instructions ↗