January 28, 2026 | 05:50 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - New Zealand has always been a dream destination for many travelers because of its natural beauty and international work experience. For those who have been eyeing international work experience opportunities, New Zealand Immigration has officially announced the opening schedule for the 2026 Working Holiday Visa (WHV).
As reported by Travel+Leisure, unlike regular tourist visas, WHV has a limited quota system that is based on the applicant's home country. Applications will be open on specific dates for each partner country. Once the quota is filled, registration will be closed immediately and will only be reset in 2027. Therefore, having a stable internet connection and preparing the documents in advance are equally important.
Duration of Stay and Work Flexibility
This program is designed for young travelers who want to experience life in New Zealand without the constraints of strict work rules. In general, visa holders are allowed to stay and work for 12 months. However, certain countries, such as the UK and Canada, have special privileges. The UK can stay for up to 36 months, and Canada for up to 23 months.
During the visa period, travelers are free to find seasonal or casual work upon arrival. Visa holders may also take short courses, up to six months long, to improve their skills or language proficiency. It is important to note that this visa does not allow for permanent employment, as its main purpose is for a holiday with light work.
Key Requirements to Fulfill
Before applying online, ensure that the applicant understands the following basic rules:
- Sufficient Funds: Applicants must prove that they have adequate funds for living expenses in New Zealand and enough to purchase a return ticket.
- Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity: This visa can only be granted once to each applicant. You cannot apply again in the following year if you have already obtained it.
- Visa Activation: After the application is approved, the applicant has 12 months to enter New Zealand to activate the visa.
2026 Opening Dates
New Zealand Immigration has released various visa registration opening dates throughout 2026. One of the most anticipated is the opening for the UK on June 25, 2026, with a quota of 15,000. For other partner countries, please refer to the following schedule as reported by New Zealand Immigration.
| Country | Opening Dates 2026 | Quota |
| Malaysia | February 11 | 1.150 |
| Portugal | February 19 | 50 |
| Mexico | February 26 | 200 |
| Estonia | March 4 | 100 |
| Philippines | March 12 | 100 |
| Hong Kong | March 19 | 400 |
| Slovenia | April 1 | 100 |
| Spain | April 9 | 2.000 |
| Hungary | April 23 | 100 |
| Slovakia | May 5 | 100 |
| Austria | May 12 | 100 |
| Korea | May 14 | 3.000 |
| Israel | May 21 | 200 |
| Taiwan | May 28 | 600 |
| Singapore | June 3 | 300 |
| Czech | June 18 | 1.200 |
| UK | June 25 | 15.000 |
| China | July 2 | 1.000 |
| Luxembourg | July 8 | 50 |
| Poland | July 15 | 100 |
| Latvia | July 22 | 100 |
| Thailand | August 5 | 100 |
| Malta | August 12 | 50 |
| Lithuania | August 19 | 100 |
| Turkey | August 27 | 100 |
| Croatia | September 10 | 100 |
| Argentina | September 24 | 1.000 |
| Peru | October 1 | 100 |
| Brazil | October 8 | 300 |
| Chile | October 15 | 940 |
| Vietnam | November 3 | 200 |
| Uruguay | November 17 | 200 |
Imanda Zahwa Priyankany contributed to this article
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