If you've heard about Australia's 88 days, forget it for New Zealand — the rules here are different. There's no second-year work requirement in the same way. Instead, you get up to 12 months (longer for a few nationalities), and a one-time 3-month extension if you do the right seasonal work.
But here's the catch nobody tells you up front: the rules are not the same for everyone. New Zealand has agreements with 45 countries, and your age limit, how long you can stay, and whether there's an annual cap all depend on your passport. Start by checking yours.
Check your country
Pick your nationality below to see your exact age limit, maximum stay, and whether your scheme has a yearly quota that can sell out.
Find your New Zealand Working Holiday rules
Pick your nationality to see your age limit, how long you can stay, and whether there is an annual cap.
Select your country above to see your exact rules.
45 nationalities · 12 months standard · Canada 23 · UK 36
How long you can stay
Most Working Holidaymakers get a 12-month visa. Two nationalities get longer: Canada can stay up to 23 months, and the United Kingdom up to 36 months since the 2023 scheme upgrade. If your total stay reaches 24 months or more, you will need to provide police certificates.
Capped vs uncapped: why timing is everything
Many schemes are capped — once the annual quota is filled, applications close until next year. Some caps are roomy (UK 15,000, South Korea 3,000, Spain 2,000), but others are tiny: Portugal, Luxembourg and Malta have just 50 places each, and they can vanish within hours of opening. A handful of countries — including Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada and the USA — are uncapped, so you can apply any time you meet the rules. The finder above tells you which group you are in.
The 3-month extension
If you work in the horticulture or viticulture industry for at least 3 months, you can apply to stay another 3 months (a "Working Holiday Extension"). The work does not need to be continuous or with the same employer — but you only get this extension once.
What work qualifies for the extension (and what does not)
Qualifying work is planting, maintaining, harvesting or packing crops in horticulture or viticulture. Work outside those tasks — like plant nurseries, or food processing and manufacturing — does not count. So picking and packing grapes counts; working on a winery's bottling line may not. Keep your payslips: you will need evidence to apply.
What it costs and what you need
- Proof of funds — around NZD $4,200 to support yourself on arrival.
- A return ticket, or enough money to buy one.
- Medical and travel insurance covering your whole stay.
- A passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure.
- The visa fee and the International Visitor Levy (IVL) — amounts vary by nationality.
Australia vs New Zealand at a glance
| Australia | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard length | 12 months | 12 months |
| Extension trigger | 88 days specified regional work | 3 months horticulture / viticulture |
| Counts as | Visa days from weekly hours | Calendar months of work |
| Repeatable | 2nd & 3rd year | One extension only |
| Annual caps | Mostly uncapped | Many countries capped |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a job lined up before I apply?
How much money do I need to show?
Can I study on a Working Holiday Visa?
Can I do a second Working Holiday in New Zealand?
Can I bring my partner or children?
Track your shifts and earnings in New Zealand, and log your horticulture days so your 3-month extension evidence is ready — free, no credit card.
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