Age
You must be 35 or under when applying and at least 18 when permission starts. GOV.UK permits applying before turning 18.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
New Zealand passport / Working Holiday
Working Holiday in the United Kingdom 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 applicants can apply at thirty-five or younger and must be eighteen when permission starts. Initial permission is up to twenty-four months; a further year requires a separate extension. Age alone does not establish all eligibility.
Key facts at a glance
- Age
- 18–35Learn moreReferences: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
- Length of stay
- 24 months initiallyLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
- Initial funds
- At least GBP 2,530Learn moreReferences: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
- Visa fee
- GBP 340 plus healthcare surchargeLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
- Annual quota
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
- Application dates and timing
- Apply up to 6 months before travelLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
- Language
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
- Study
- Study permitted; some courses need ATASLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
- Work
- Most jobs; professional sport excludedLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
New Zealand →United KingdomWorking Holiday in the United Kingdom for New Zealanders (2026)
Requirements, application steps and preparation before departure.
Step 1
Check requirements and language preparation
Length of stay
New Zealand citizens may apply for a further one-year extension; it is a separate application.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Initial funds
Hold the funds for 28 consecutive days. Day 28 must fall within 31 days before applying.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Visa fee
The overview gives a healthcare surcharge usually GBP 776 per year; check the official calculation.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Annual quota
The New Zealand allocation was not independently established in this research. Hong Kong/Taiwan ballot arrangements do not apply to New Zealand under the eligibility page.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Application dates and timing
Apply up to 6 months before travel
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Language
No English examination is established for New Zealand Youth Mobility applicants by the inspected eligibility guide.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Explore language courses →Passport
Follow the document and identity instructions generated by the application; exact remaining validity margin is not established here.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Insurance
The overview usually quotes GBP 776 per year. This is separate from travel insurance; do not claim NHS access covers every private, dental or repatriation cost.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Documents and participation
No previous UK Youth Mobility stay for a new entry application. Restrictions apply to children living with or financially dependent on the applicant; family members cannot join this application.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18 NZ-GB-DOCUMENTS-18
Step 2
Apply through the official route
- Apply online from outside the UK, up to six months before intended travel, under the New Zealand Youth Mobility rules.
- Prepare identity, the required 28-day savings evidence and any applicable tuberculosis certificate; follow the current document checklist.
- Pay the application charge and calculated healthcare surcharge, then prove identity using the directed app or appointment route.
- Await the decision and follow the UKVI account/eVisa and travel instructions; a later New Zealand one-year extension is a separate application.
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
Hold at least GBP 2,530 continuously for twenty-eight days, with day twenty-eight within thirty-one days before applying. Budget the GBP 340 application fee, healthcare surcharge and actual travel/living costs separately. Check passport details in the UKVI account before departure.
- 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 during the permission’s validity and check the online status and work conditions. Most jobs and study are allowed, but professional sport is excluded. Self-employment requires rented premises, equipment worth no more than GBP 5,000 and no employees.
Work
Self-employment has premises, equipment and staffing limits. Read the full official conditions.
Study
Study permitted; some courses need ATAS
NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
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 permitted; some courses need ATAS
Other destinations to compare
- Working Holiday in Argentina →
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- Brazil - source note →
- Working Holiday in Canada →
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- 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 →
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- 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 →
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- 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 Uruguay →
- Working Holiday in Vietnam →
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn 36 before travel?
GOV.UK permits applicants to be thirty-five or under when applying and older when permission starts; they must be at least eighteen at the start.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Explore language courses →How long must savings be held?
Twenty-eight consecutive days, with day twenty-eight within thirty-one days before application.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Are three years granted at the start?
No. Initial permission is up to twenty-four months; New Zealand citizens may apply separately for one further year.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Do New Zealanders enter the ballot?
The eligibility guide’s ballot requirement names Hong Kong and Taiwan, not New Zealand.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Can I be self-employed?
Only within the published premises, GBP 5,000 equipment and no-employees conditions; professional sport remains excluded.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-18
Is study permitted?
Yes, although some courses need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.
References: NZ-GB-OVERVIEW-18 NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 NZ-GB-APPLY-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-GB-OVERVIEW-18 · UK Youth Mobility overview
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
NZ-GB-ELIGIBILITY-18 · UK Youth Mobility eligibility
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
NZ-GB-APPLY-18 · UK Youth Mobility online application
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.