New Zealand USA Working Holiday Visa Guide

If you’re considering embarking on a working holiday a great option is New Zealand and its stunning landscapes. Having experienced it for myself, I created this guide to provide an overview of the New Zealand USA Working Holiday Visa. I believe the visa conditions are similar across the board for all other eligible nationalities.

Working Holiday Explained

So what exactly is a “working holiday” you might ask?

A working holiday visa allows you to stay in a country for a lengthened period of time with the option to seek employment.

Simply put a working holiday is essentially like an extended tourist visa with the added bonus of being able to work to fund your travels.

NZ USA Working Holiday Visa Conditions

Work in New Zealand for up to 12 months
Study or train in New Zealand for up to 6 months total
Cannot accept a permanent job
No dependents
Must enter New Zealand within 12 months of the date visa is granted
Must exit New Zealand before visa expires

Eligibility & Qualifications

Citizen of the United States of America
18-30 years old
Have at least NZ $4,200 to live on while in New Zealand*
Must maintain medical insurance throughout New Zealand stay*
A travel ticket out of New Zealand or sufficient funds to cover it*

*Upon arrival the immigration officer may ask to see evidence

Costs & Processing

Application cost: NZ $35 for U.S. citizens
No quota for U.S. citizens, unlimited spaces
Processing time: Within 11 days

Outline

NZ Working Holiday Visa Application Process

1. Create an account on New Zealand Immigration Website

2. Lodge application

3. Submit evidence if requested

4. Receive results

5. Fly to New Zealand and start your working holiday adventure

My Actual Timeline

August 14– Created an account with Immigration New Zealand Online Services; Submitted my online application; Was notified that I needed to submit a chest x-ray because I had recently lived abroad in South Korea

August 15– Went to an approved panel physician and got my chest x-ray

August 16– Received an automated message informing me that my health results have been submitted to Immigration New Zealand

August 17– Application got approved and I was granted an electronic visa (eVisa)

Overview

I found the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa application quick, simple, and hassle-free. As you can see the entire process was completed in just a few days.

The year I lodged my visa application there was actually no fee for U.S. citizens yet so it cost me nothing to apply.

In order to fulfill the medical insurance requirement I purchased a super cheap plan through OrbitProtect. I also had a printed copy of my bank statement ready to show that I had enough funds to cover costs of living as well as onward travel out of New Zealand. However, upon arrival my immigration officer never requested to see any of these documents.

Before You Apply

Before applying for the working holiday visa you should confirm that New Zealand is indeed the right destination for you. The first step is to research and gather some information about the country.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision:

–Can you afford to live, travel, and work in New Zealand?

The cost of living is rather high in New Zealand so double check your finances and create a budget if necessary.

By the end of my working holiday I basically spent what I made so I didn’t have much left over to add to my savings.

–Are the jobs available in New Zealand a good fit for you?

The most common occupations for working holiday visa holders in New Zealand are in hospitality and agriculture. Room and board at hostels is a popular choice.

I myself got a job as a hostess at one of Auckland’s top restaurants and also volunteered on a farm through the Workaway program.

–Does New Zealand offer the experiences you are seeking?

New Zealand has a calm pace of life. It’s renowned for its natural beauty and outdoor excursions.

Hiking was one of my top favorite activities as there are so many gorgeous trails scattered throughout the country.

–Do you plan to drive?

They drive on the left-hand side of the road in New Zealand. There are many roundabouts and narrow windy roads.

For me the trickiest part was adjusting to driving on the opposite side of the road.

After Visa is Approved

As soon as your visa is granted it’s best to start planning right away to ensure that you have a smooth transition from the start of your journey.

In addition to booking your flight here are a few things to think about:

–Should you bring a backpack or a suitcase?

This will ultimately boil down to personal preference but I found that the majority of people I came across chose backpacks.

I opted for a suitcase but in hindsight perhaps a backpack would have been more convenient as most places are quite hilly, etc.

–Where do you want to base yourself?

Most working holiday visa holders either jump from place to place working odd jobs or base themselves somewhere and work more long-term jobs. I went with the latter option and rented a flat in Auckland because there were plenty of jobs available in the city.

Other popular areas include Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown.

–Where will you stay once you arrive in New Zealand?

There are some initial logistics you’ll have to get sorted once you arrive in New Zealand so it would be a good idea to book your accommodation for the first few nights.

I actually booked a hostel for my first 2 weeks prior to arrival. I wanted to give myself enough time to also explore a bit and get a feel of my new environment.

Outcome

I applied for my visa in August 2018 and entered New Zealand in October 2018. I stayed for one full year as planned and had a fantastic experience.

I gained unique work experiences and explored a big chunk of the country. I made life-long friendships and unforgettable memories.

I highly recommend New Zealand to anyone thinking about doing a working holiday. It’s one of the safest countries in the world, there’s a huge backpacking community, the locals are friendly, and all the beautiful nature will take your breath away.

I hope you found this guide helpful and that it is now clear what a New Zealand USA Working Holiday Visa entails.

Please bear in mind that there may be some changes since when I applied.

For additional content on New Zealand, learn about how I came to the decision to leave my EPIK job in Korea and embark on a working holiday in NZ. Check out my checklist for a list of initial important things to take care when you arrive in New Zealand.