Going abroad on a Working Holiday Visa became popular in recent years, post-Covid, especially with all those promoting it on social networks. To make thousands of dollars in just a few weeks, you just need to work in Australia or NZ, they say. It’s not that easy …
Whether you’re going to New Zealand to work for 12 months or whether you want to use this visa, as its name suggests, to work but also to travel, you’ll find in this article all my practical advice on how to apply for a WHV to work in New Zealand and the first steps to take once you’re there !
1. WHAT IS A WORKING HOLIDAY VISA ?
Let’s start with the basics. Even though you might know this visa by name, you might not be very familiar with it. And that was the case for me 3 months before my departure.
The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is a temporary visa issued by the New Zealand authorities (or Australia, or Canada, in short all the countries participating in this initiative) to young people aged 18 to 30 (or 35 if Canadian) who wish to live in New Zealand for a year (23 months if Canadian) while working there to finance their trip and life.
The visa costs 770NZD (about 430€) as of 2024, to be paid online. You will receive a reply within 2 weeks to 1 month.
2. PRE-ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
- Apply for a visa
- Have adequate financial resources at the time of your departure for New Zealand, set at a minimum of NZ$4,200 (2270€)
- Be covered by WHV insurance for the entire duration of your stay. The country does not cover your health expenses.
- Book your flight and be sure to have all the necessary documents & visas before departing.
(Be aware that they randomly check whether you have sufficient funds and health insurance at customs check).
My pre-departure tips: I’ve already answered on backpackerboard to several requests looking for people in the hospitality industry to get an overview of the job market and what I could find once there. I also emailed various hostels I found on online booking sites, asking them if they were looking for people. I received several positive replies just before my arrival, which gave me peace of mind about my first few weeks in NZ. I didn’t have to book a hostel for my arrival in NZ, as I had been offered a volunteer position at a very well-located and highly-rated hostel in Auckland, where we looked after the common areas and rooms for a few hours a day in exchange for a bed. It was the best economical option for a good start in New Zealand.
Nevertheless, in case you don’t get a positive answer a few days before your arrival, I advise you to book accommodation in Auckland or Wellington for 1 week. This will give you time to deal with the administrative formalities. You’ll also find it easier to find work in New Zealand if you go directly to the establishments where you want to work, with a CV in your hand.
3. POST-ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
- Open your bank account: make an appointment and provide a certificate of accommodation to be requested from your accommodation provider.
- Enter your IRD (tax) number.
- Print out your CV and contact the establishments and companies that interest you.
You’ve finally arrived in New Zealand! Congratulations! You may already have to get used to the time difference, so give your body time to adjust. Fortunately, New Zealand’s climate is mild and dry, as in Europe, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble in the weather adaptation. Once you’re well rested, it’s time to deal with the administrative formalities. If you want to live and work in New Zealand, you’ll need a New Zealand bank account and an IRD number.
For the bank account, you’ll need an accommodation certificate. Hostels usually issue these easily if you’re staying for more than a week.
Then go to the bank. Some banks issue appointments within a few weeks, but if you’re in Auckland, the Kiwibank on Dominion Road (371 Dominion Rd, Auckland) will set up an account for you within an afternoon. Once you’ve obtained a bank account and payment card, don’t forget to get a local phone line from Spark, Vodafone or 2degrees. Rates start at 40NZD/month. This will make it easier for potential employers to contact you than via Whatsapp.
Once you’ve created your bank account, you’ll need to apply for an IRD number which is your New Zealand tax number. This is essential if you want to work in New Zealand. Otherwise you’ll be taxed at 45% on all your income. You can apply for an IRD number online or by post. You’ll need to provide a copy of your passport, your immigration application number (different from your WHV visa number), and your country of residence tax number (unless you’re attached to your parents’ household for tax purposes, for example). The online procedure is quicker (IRD number delivered in 2 working days) register on the Inland Revenue website to start the procedure.
4. FIND A JOB
Once you’ve taken care of all the administrative and personal formalities, you’re ready to start looking for work. You can ask your accommodation to print out some of your CVs, or go to your local library, which offers this service.
Sectors that recruit the most :
- Catering : you have every chance of being recruited, even with little or no experience, if you submit enough CVs and show a real willingness to learn and do shift of 5hours.. It’s a good idea to know English, because you’ll be interacting with customers unless you’re working in the kitchen or as a dishwasher. You’ll generally work shifts of 25 to 35 hours a week.
- Hospitality : hotels and hostels are always recruiting, especially at reception, in housekeeping or at the food & beverage (F&B) department. Depending on the season and your contract, you can easily work 40 hours a week (full time) or 25 hours (part time).
- Construction : find job in construction with iterim agencies. It’s a bit physical but you can work 30 to 50h every week.
- Farms & factories (countryside & towns): for these jobs, word-of-mouth or ads on facebook and backpackerboard-type websites work best. You need to be prepared to move around the countryside, so having a car is highly recommended. If you’re motivated and physically fit, it’s not uncommon to work 50 hours or more a week.
5. THE LANGUAGE BARRIER
You may be denied opportunities because of the language barrier. Indeed, it can be a little more complicated to find a job if you can’t hold an interview in English. I’m going to devote an article to practicing or learning English in New Zealand. You can find it here (soon).
6. STAY IN NEW ZEALAND LONGER BY EXTENDING YOUR VISA
If your WHV is coming to an end but you haven’t finished enjoying this wonderful country, you can extend your visa via
- Working Holiday Extension Work Visa by post for a 3-month extension if you have done 3 months of seasonal work (not necessarily full-time) in horticulture or viticulture (planting, maintening, harvesting or packing). You can only extend your visa once, so you can stay for a total of 15 months. The extension costs 735NZD (2024).
- Tourist visa : you can change your visa by leaving New Zealand and returning afterwards when your WHV is expired with a NZeta visa for a maximum of 3 months. You can also opt to stay on the territory and apply for a tourist visa. You will then need to undergo medical tests (compulsory if you have been in New Zealand for more than 12 months) and apply for the tourist visa online.
Do it as soon as possible, so you don’t become an illegal immigrant if your application takes several weeks but your visa has already expired (you could be deported and banned forever).
7. ENJOY !
New Zealand is such a diverse country that I’m sure you’ll love every moment there. Enjoy your time there and make unforgettable memories
If this article has helped you, or if you have any questions, please let me know in the comments. I spent 15 months in New Zealand and would be delighted to share my experience with you in the future!
Enjoy your stay!