Working holidays in New Zealand: explore the land of the Kiwis.
New Zealand is one of the world's greatest vacation destinations - and the opportunity to travel there has never been closer. For young people and students, working holidays in New Zealand are the perfect way to see this stunning place without breaking the bank.
Options for working holidays in New Zealand are varied
If you can dream it, then you can do it: work your way to a great adventure. Possible options for working holidays in New Zealand include
- seasonal agricultural work,
- au pair services for New Zealand families,
- as well as the retail and services industries.
Although there's a long list of things one shouldn't miss while visiting New Zealand, working holiday makers are lucky because of the generous duration periods offered to foreigners. Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for working holidays in New Zealand for a period of 12 to 23 months. Whether you choose to stay for a few months or almost two years, you're sure to leave New Zealand wanting more.
Organise well before embarking on working holidays in New Zealand
As with most international exchanges, you must have a New Zealand working holiday visa before taking on any jobs there. It's important to prepare the necessary documents and have everything ready to go before you leave home.
Citizens of the following countries may currently apply for a New Zealand working holiday visa with the following restrictions (last update June 2010):
No employment limit:
- Belgium (see Reizen en werken in Nieuw-Zeeland),
- Canada (see New Zealand working holiday maker),
- France (see visa vacances travail Nouvelle-Zélande),
- Germany (see Working Holiday Visum Neuseeland),
- Ireland (see working holiday visa in New Zealand),
- Japan,
- Malaysia,
- the Netherlands (see Reizen en werken in Nieuw-Zeeland),
- Norway (see working holiday New Zealand),
- Singapore,
- Sweden (see working holiday New Zealand),
- United Kindom (see working holiday visa in New Zealand),
- United States of America.
Limitation of three months employment per employer:
- Argentina,
- Brazil,
- Chile,
- China,
- the Czech Republic (see working holiday sheme Nový Zéland),
- Denmark (see working holiday New Zealand),
- Estonia,
- Finland (see working holiday New Zealand),
- Hong Kong,
- Italy (see visto vacanze lavoro Nuova Zelanda),
- Korea,
- Latvia,
- Malta,
- Mexico,
- Peru,
- Poland,
- Slovenia,
- Spain,
- Taiwan,
- Thailand,
- Uruguay
Certain eligibility criteria apply for New Zealand working holidays visas, such as age (18-30 years), family status, and initial savings to cover expenses while visiting. For some nationalities the number of visa is also limited (varying between 100 and 1200 visa per year and nationality).
More specific information can be found at New Zealand's immigration website at http://www.immigration.govt.nz.
Having all your ducks in a row will ensure that your experience in New Zealand is everything you've dreamed of and more.
