How Canadians Can Apply For A New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

Are you a Canadian looking to apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa? Then you’ve come to the right place! To help out our fellow Canadians, we’ve put together a step-by-step application guide for applying for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa. Holders of this visa are allowed to live and work in New Zealand for up to 23 months without any restrictions. It allows travellers to get a job, pay off living expenses and experience life as a local in New Zealand!

Stepabroad participants receive one-on-one guidance through their New Zealand Working Holiday Visa application. We also review your application documents to ensure they are correct and will not result in your visa getting rejected, as well as help you sort your housing job, bank, phone… Basically everything you need to get up for life in New Zealand!

If you are fiercely independent and want to try to give it a go on your own, here is a step-by-step visa application guide for Canadian passport holders.

two-friends-viewpoint-hike-new-zealand
Admiring the view near Wanaka, on New Zealand’s South Island.

Applying for the Working Holiday Visa

Scroll down for the step-by-step process, or click on the following links to skip through the steps!

Step 1: Create an account

Step 2: Access the application

Step 3: Complete the application

Step 4: Submit your application

Step 5: Pay the application fee

Step 6: Receive your work visa!

Embassy/Consulate Contact Information

Details:

Application processing time: Within 20 business days
Application cost: NZD$208
Form of application: Online

You must meet these requirements to apply:

  • Must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time you submit your application
  • Hold a Canadian Passport
  • Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your departure from New Zealand
  • Proof of a departure flight out of New Zealand or enough funds to buy one
  • Evidence of sufficient funds to support your stay
  • Meet health requirements → Click here for details!
  • Full medical insurance for the length of your stay (the Stepabroad team can help with travel insurance information)
apply-new-zealand-working-visa

Step 1: Create an Account

On the Official New Zealand Immigration Website, create an account and make sure it is under the Working Holiday Schemes tab → Apply online

WHNZ2

Step 2: Access the Application

After you register, you will receive an email that will direct you to the online application. Or you can simply log into your new account with your credentials.

You will be given options for Online Services applications. Under Working Holiday Schemes, use the link “click here to apply” to proceed with the application.

The following page will ask you to choose the country where you are applying from. Click on CANADA as your country of origin.

WHNZ3

Step 3: Complete Application

Fill in all four sections of the application. It will take some time, so remember that you can always save and come back to complete it. Don’t forget to hit ‘save’ at the end of each section.

1. Personal Details, Identification and Occupation details

Have your passport and a second piece of ID ready for this part!

Enter your personal information and make sure that your information matches the details on your passport. The occupation section is optional if you are not sure what industry, or occupation you hold, then you may skip this step.

2. Health

You must read the Health Requirement leaflet, before answering the Health section. After you have read it, answer Yes or No to questions concerning health and well-being.

3. Character

This section will ask about good character and background. Read this section carefully and answer Yes or No to the questions.

4. WHS Specific

This section will determine your eligibility to receive a Working Holiday Visa. You will be asked if you have sufficient funds available.

ScreenShot2018-03-09at4.50.28PM.png.28PM

Step 4: Submit your Application

Once you have looked over your application and made sure you didn’t miss anything, you can click the Submit button at the bottom of the WHS Specific page.

Once your page has refreshed, you will see a link on the top of your page that will lead you to the next part of submitting your application.

whnz4

The following section is confirming your application submission. Please read it carefully, understand and agree to the terms accordingly.

whnz5

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee

Once your application is submitted, you will be asked to pay the application fee. Note that your application will not be processed until it is paid for.

Tip: Don’t delay your application process and pay as soon as possible!

The application is NZD $208 for Canadians. Proceed to the Secure Payment Site to pay online with your credit card.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee

Once your application is submitted, you will be asked to pay the application fee. Note that your application will not be processed until it is paid for.

Tip: Don’t delay your application process and pay as soon as possible!

The application is NZD $208 for Canadians. Proceed to the Secure Payment Site to pay online with your credit card.

Want to Learn More?

Interested in hearing more about how we can help you apply for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa through our New Zealand Working Holiday Programs (plus a whole lot more)?

Fill in the form and a member of our team will be in touch to answer all your questions!

Want to Learn More?

How do I find a job in New Zealand?

Stepabroad offers professional and customized placement services for you to get the job that you want. Whether it’s working at a coffee shop, at a casual restaurant, or even at a surf rental shop on the coast, we help you get the job with professional resume revision, personal job search support, interview preparation and an informative orientation upon arrival in New Zealand! Additional services included in our program are support with setting up your bank account, helping you with tax filing and in-country support throughout your trip.

What are work regulations in New Zealand as a Canadian?

As an employee, you can work anywhere as long as it is legal, and you do not accept a permanent job. You must pay tax on what you earn. This can be done by obtaining a New Zealand bank account and IRD (Inland Revenue Department) number to pay tax. Stepabroad can help you through this process of obtaining an IRD number.

How long can I stay in New Zealand?

You are allowed to apply for a 12-month or 23-month Working Holiday Visa, however, you may only apply once. You may apply for the 12-month visa, and then extend it to 23 months, but you cannot apply for both 12 months and then 23 months after. While in New Zealand on a working holiday visa, you may enter and leave the country as many times as you like.

What do I do after arriving in New Zealand with a Working Holiday Visa?

When arriving in New Zealand, you will need to apply for entry permission. You do this by giving an immigration officer (OR use the SmartGate self-serving machine) the following documents:

  • Completed arrival card (given to you on your flight to New Zealand)
  • Passport
  • Your working holiday visa (contained electronically in your passport)
  • Travel ticket out of New Zealand (or proof of funds to purchase one)

Could my New Zealand Working Holiday Visa application be denied?

Yes, the New Zealand Consulate holds the right to deny your visa application if you do not meet all of the requirements. Stepabroad participants receive one-on-one assistance with their visa application. This includes a full review of the visa requirements with your Stepabroad advisor to ensure your application does not get rejected.

Embassy/Consulate Locations

Vancouver
1050 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6E 3S7

Ottawa
150 Elgin St, Suite 1401, Ottawa K2P 1L4

Toronto
444 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2S9

Disclaimer: No Legal Advice Provided.

The material on our website and on this webpage is intended to provide only general information and comment to our clients and the public. Although we make our best efforts to ensure that the information found on our website is accurate and timely, do not, under any circumstances, rely on information found on our website as legal or immigration advice. Nor do we guarantee the accuracy of any information contained on websites to which our website provide links. For assistance with your specific inquiry or problem, please contact an immigration consultant or call the nearest New Zealand consulate.