New Zealand passport / Working Holiday

Working Holiday in Singapore 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.

New Zealand citizens have a conditional bilateral twelve-month programme for ages 18 to 30 with degree or two-year undergraduate study requirements. A separate general six-month programme is available to qualifying university students and graduates aged 18 to 25. Check each route independently; passport and age alone are insufficient.

Key facts at a glance

Age: 18–30, with academic conditionsLearn moreReferences: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-18
Length of stay: 12 monthsLearn moreReferences: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-KEY-18 NZ-SG-WHP-18
Initial funds: Sufficient funds for arrival, stay and departureLearn moreReferences: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-FUNDS-18
Visa fee: SGD 175 at pass issueLearn moreReferences: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-APPLY-18
Annual quota: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-18 NZ-SG-WHP-18
Application dates and timing: Apply no more than 3 months before intended travelLearn moreReferences: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-APPLY-18
Language: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-APPLY-18
Study: Up to 6 months of study or trainingLearn moreReferences: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-STUDY-18
Work: No more than 6 months with the same employerLearn moreReferences: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-18

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Step 1

Check requirements and language preparation

Age

New Zealand citizens must hold a university degree or have completed the equivalent of two years of full-time undergraduate university study. Age alone does not establish eligibility.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-18

Length of stay

The New Zealand bilateral Work and Holiday Visa Programme is issued once and cannot be renewed. The separate general programme offers a six-month alternative under different eligibility rules.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-KEY-18 NZ-SG-WHP-18

Initial funds

Declare adequate financial support. The inspected bilateral FAQ gives no numeric threshold.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-FUNDS-18

Visa fee

An additional SGD 30 Multiple Journey Visa charge applies if required.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-APPLY-18

Annual quota

A current annual New Zealand bilateral quota was not established from these pages. The general programme’s capacity of 2,000 holders at one time is a different measure and must not be transferred.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-18 NZ-SG-WHP-18

Application dates and timing

Get the pass issued within three months of the in-principle approval letter. Follow the individual letter and current travel requirements.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-APPLY-18

Language

An English examination requirement was not established. Non-English university documents require the original and an official English translation certified by the university.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-APPLY-18

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Passport

The inspected instructions do not establish an exact remaining-validity period; check the current arrival requirements.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-APPLY-18

Insurance

Mandatory insurance policy terms were not established by these bilateral pages. Confirm the current checklist and arrange suitable protection.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-APPLY-18

Documents and participation

Graduates provide a degree certificate or transcripts. Undergraduates provide a university letter dated within three months and a student card. Prepare certified English translations when needed.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-APPLY-18

Step 2

Apply through the official route

Check New Zealand citizenship, age 18 to 30 and the degree or two-year undergraduate requirement for the bilateral programme.
Apply through MOM with passport and academic evidence, no more than three months before intended travel.
After approval, enter Singapore and obtain the pass within three months of the IPA letter. Follow its medical and declaration instructions and pay the issue charges.
Read the issued notification letter, complete fingerprints and photo registration within two weeks if required, and set up the digital work pass.

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

Collect passport and degree or undergraduate evidence, including a recent university letter where applicable. Prepare certified English translations, adequate travel and living funds, a Singapore address and the medical and declaration documents required at pass issue. Check the IPA and ICA travel requirements before booking final arrangements.

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

Obtain pass issue in Singapore through EP eService if eligible or an EPSC appointment without Singpass. The issued notification letter permits work while awaiting the card. Follow any required registration within two weeks; card delivery normally follows registration or verification within five working days.

Work

Freelance employment is prohibited. Employment must be with ACRA-registered companies or ROS-registered organisations; regulated professions require registration.

NZ-SG-BILATERAL-18

Study

The New Zealand-specific limit includes internships, part-time and full-time courses, and on-the-job training.

NZ-SG-BILATERAL-STUDY-18

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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.

The New Zealand-specific limit includes internships, part-time and full-time courses, and on-the-job training.

Other destinations to compare

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Frequently asked questions

Which route is described here?

The primary route is New Zealand’s bilateral twelve-month Work and Holiday Visa Programme. The general six-month Work Holiday Programme is a separate possible alternative.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-18 NZ-SG-BILATERAL-KEY-18 NZ-SG-WHP-18

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Is a New Zealand passport enough?

No. The bilateral route also requires age 18 to 30 and a university degree or the equivalent of two years of full-time undergraduate university study.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-18

How long can I study or train?

Under the New Zealand bilateral programme, the maximum is six months, including internships, part-time or full-time courses and on-the-job training.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-STUDY-18

Can I freelance or keep one employer all year?

No freelance employment is allowed, and the same-employer limit is six months. Regulated professions also require registration.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-18

Can I work with the approval email alone?

Get the pass issued in Singapore first. The issued notification letter authorises work while awaiting the card.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-APPLY-18

Can I renew the twelve-month pass?

No. The bilateral programme is issued only once and is not renewable. Do not apply the general programme’s repeat-application rules to this route.

References: NZ-SG-BILATERAL-KEY-18

Official sources

Research consulted: 17 October 2026. Check current requirements with the issuing authority before applying.