Age
The age range applies at application. Also check residence, previous participation and all other conditions for your passport.
References: NZ-GB
British-citizen passport / Working Holiday
Working Holiday in New Zealand for British citizens (2026)
Requirements and practical preparation for your Working Holiday in New Zealand. Start with the summary, then follow the five stages.
Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
Key facts at a glance
- Age
- 18–35 inclusiveLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB
- Length of stay
- 12,23 or 36 months, depending on applicationLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB
- Initial funds
- At least NZD 350 per monthLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB
- Visa fee
- From NZD 770Learn moreReferences: NZ-GB
- Annual quota
- 15,000 per yearLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB
- Application dates and timing
- Enter within 12 months of issueLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB
- Language
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB
- Study
- Up to 6 months totalLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB
- Work
- Temporary jobs; no permanent employmentLearn moreReferences: NZ-GB
United Kingdom →New ZealandWorking Holiday in New Zealand for British citizens (2026)
Requirements, application steps and preparation before departure.
Step 1
Check requirements and language preparation
Length of stay
Choose the permitted length in the application. A 23 or 36-month application requires extra health evidence; a total stay of 24 months or more also has additional police-certificate requirements. Extending a shorter grant requires another application.
References: NZ-GB
Initial funds
You need at least NZD 350 for each month of the intended stay, plus a ticket or separate funds to leave. The requirement applies to the length requested; do not replace it with a flat twelve-month budget.
References: NZ-GB
Visa fee
From NZD 770
References: NZ-GB
Annual quota
15,000 per year
References: NZ-GB
Application dates and timing
If you do not enter within twelve months, the visa expires. Read your own grant and do not assume you can postpone or replace an unused visa.
References: NZ-GB
Language
This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.
References: NZ-GB
Explore language courses →Passport
Valid 3 months beyond visa expiry
References: NZ-GB
Insurance
This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.
References: NZ-GB
Documents and participation
You must normally live in the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man and must not have been outside your country for more than two years immediately before applying. A previous New Zealand Working Holiday grant counts even if unused; extensions have separate rules.
References: NZ-GB
Step 2
Apply through the official route
Choose12,23 or36 months under the UK online application in English. Longer total stays bring extra medical and character evidence; a subsequent visa to extend an existing stay is distinct from a new first Working Holiday application.
- Check citizenship, normal UK/Crown Dependency residence, previous grants and the requested12/23/36-month length.
- Prepare NZD 350 per month plus departure resources, residence evidence and the medical/police evidence required for your total time in New Zealand.
- Apply online in English, upload the requested evidence and pay through the official account.
- Save the eVisa and check its entry deadline and conditions. Any subsequent extension requires its own application and evidence.
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
Budget for every month requested, plus departure. More than twelve months total time can require medical examination and chest X-ray; total time of 24 months or more brings specific police-certificate rules and exceptions. Check prior documents with INZ before ordering replacements.
- 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
Complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration and follow the conditions in your eVisa. Arrange an IRD number for tax before paid work. Temporary employment must comply with the current open-visa conditions; permanent work and operating a business as owner are excluded.
Work
No job offer is needed to apply. Work must comply with the granted open-visa conditions. You cannot take a permanent job.
Study
Study or training is limited to six months in total, even if a British participant receives a longer visa.
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, even if a British participant receives a longer visa.
Other destinations to compare
- Working Holiday in Australia →
- Working Holiday in Canada →
- Working Holiday in Japan →
- Working Holiday in South Korea →
- Working Holiday in Hong Kong →
- Working Holiday in Taiwan →
- Working Holiday in Uruguay →
- Working Holiday in Iceland →
- Working Holiday in Andorra →
Frequently asked questions
Which stay lengths can UK applicants request?
12,23 or36 months, with additional evidence for the longer choices.
Is the money a one-offNZD 350 requirement?
No. It is at leastNZD 350 per month, plus separate departure resources.
Must I normally live in the UK?
Yes, or the listed Crown Dependencies. INZ describes absence and residence evidence requirements.
Can I simply apply for a new visa after an unused grant?
A previous grant normally prevents another first visa; an eligible subsequent extension is a separate route.
What evidence can longer stays require?
Medical and chest X-ray evidence for more than twelve months total; specific police rules for 24 months or more. Check exceptions.
Official sources
Source research includes checks from 16 and 18 October 2026. Check current requirements with the official government authority; individual check dates appear below.
NZ-GB · Immigration New Zealand - United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa
Source checked: 2026-10-16. Check current requirements with the official government authority.
Read the official instructions ↗GB-NZ-18 · Immigration New Zealand · UK scheme
Source checked: 2026-10-18. Check current requirements with the official government authority.
Read the official instructions ↗