Blog September 1, 2026

2026 Working Holiday Dates Confirmed — 32 Countries, 32 Chances

If a working holiday in New Zealand has been on your list, 2026 is your year to act. Immigration New Zealand confirmed the opening dates in January 2026 for all 32 capped Working Holiday Schemes.

Places are limited. In most cases, applications open on a set date and fill quickly. Missing the opening date means waiting another year.

Highlighted opening dates

The United Kingdom scheme is the largest, with 15,000 places opening on 25 June 2026. Korea opens on 14 May with 3,000 places. Spain opens on 9 April with 2,000 places, and Argentina follows on 24 September with 1,000 places.

Other notable dates include Malaysia (11 February, 1,150 places), Taiwan (28 May, 600 places), Czech Republic (18 June, 1,200 places), and Chile (15 October, 940 places).

Smaller allocations apply to countries including Portugal, Luxembourg, Malta, Estonia, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Latvia, Lithuania, Philippines, Israel, Singapore, Luxembourg, Poland, Thailand, Turkey, Croatia, Peru, Brazil, Vietnam, and Uruguay.

What is a working holiday visa?

A working holiday visa lets you live, work, and travel in New Zealand for up to 12 months (longer for some countries). You can work for any employer, in almost any role, and travel at will. It is designed for people between 18 and 30 (or 35 for some countries) who want to experience New Zealand while funding their stay through work.

Applications fill fast

Some schemes fill within hours of opening. If your country is on the list and the date is coming up, set a reminder now.

Working holiday visas are generally straightforward, but there are requirements around health, character, and financial evidence. We can help you prepare if you want to make sure your application is complete before the queue opens.

Check the list, note your date, and get in touch if you need help with your application.

This content is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007. Immigration policies are subject to change. For advice specific to your circumstances, contact a Licensed Immigration Adviser.

Author Details

Vandana Rai

(LIA 201400900)

Director

Vandana is herself a migrant and has a rare set of skill match, which could be considered ideal for a Licensed Immigration Adviser. She was a school counsellor from 1996 to 2006, a role in which she was a natural fit due to her nurturing and caring personality. Her earnest journey as a fully Licensed Immigration Adviser for New Zealand began in 2014, and she considers herself blessed to have the background and the skills that allow her, as an Immigration adviser, to effortlessly visualise herself in her client’s situation, understand their needs and problems, and use her knowledge, experience, and expertise to help find a solution for it.

She is currently on the Board of New Zealand Association of Migration and Investment (NZAMI) and was part of the Immigration Advisers Authority(IAA) referral group for 2016.