New Zealand’s Working Holiday visa is open to Spain, closed to Argentina until 2027, and will open to Chile on October 15, 2026. What you can do now depends on your passport country, your age, and whether there are still places available in your quota.
Each country has a specific opening date each year and a limited number of visas, and you can only obtain one in your lifetime. Here’s the 2026 schedule, the common requirements, and what to do with each passport.
New Zealand Working Holiday Calendar 2026
Immigration New Zealand, the country’s immigration agency, publishes a calendar each year with the opening dates for each country’s immigration quota. As of September 28, 2026, the three quotas are as follows:
- April 9, 2026: Spain’s quota opens, with 2,000 places. It remains open.
- September 24, 2026: Argentina’s quota opens, with 1,000 places. Four days later, it appears to be closed for 2026.
- October 15, 2026: Chile’s quota opens, with 940 places, at 10:00 AM New Zealand time.
Each quota accepts applications until all places are filled. After that, it closes and does not reopen until the following year’s schedule. Applying early is also not an option, as applications submitted before the quota opens will not be accepted.
The passport you use to submit your application matters, not the country where you live. A Chilean citizen residing in Spain follows the Chilean calendar.
These statuses can change in a few days. Before making any arrangements, check the Official Working Holiday quota calendar and your country’s visa website.
What do you need in any case?
All three passports share these requirements. To apply for the Working Holiday visa, you will need to:
- Have a passport valid for at least 3 months after the visa expires.
- Prove that you have at least NZD 4,200 for your living expenses.
- Have a ticket out of New Zealand or enough money to buy one, in addition to those funds.
- Purchase comprehensive medical insurance for the entire stay.
- Meet the health and character requirements.
- Have a real reason to travel to New Zealand.
- Not having previously held a New Zealand Working Holiday visa.
The NZD 4,200 is not paid to the New Zealand government; you need to have it available and be able to prove it. The ticket price is separate, so you can’t count on having the same amount for both.
Your health and character are assessed through questions on the form. Depending on your answers, you may be asked for a chest x-ray, a medical examination, or criminal background checks.
Even if you don’t end up using it, the visa counts as your only New Zealand Working Holiday visa. Once granted, you have 12 months to enter the country. After that period, the visa expires and you can’t apply for another one, so it’s best to set your travel date before applying.
After entering, you can stay for up to 12 months and travel in and out while the visa remains valid. You can study for a total of 6 months and take temporary work. You can’t accept a permanent position or run your own business, and you don’t need a job offer before applying.
The visa covers one person. A partner or children must qualify and apply separately.
The application costs 770 NZD for all 3 passports:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application charge | 215 NZD |
| Immigration levy | 455 NZD |
| Tourism levy | 100 NZD |
| Total | 770 NZD |
You pay the full amount when the application is submitted. It isn’t refunded if the visa is refused. Medical insurance, flights and your first costs after arrival are separate.
There’s also a possible 3-month extension if you complete at least 3 months of seasonal work in horticulture or viticulture.
What changes with each passport
Age is the biggest difference. The rules about working for one employer also change.
Spain
Spanish passport holders can apply from age 18 to 30. The 2026 quota has 2,000 places and has remained open since 9 April. The visa lets you work for any employer during the 12-month stay.
If you’re eligible, the practical next step is to apply while places remain. Decide roughly when you want to travel first, because the 12-month entry window begins as soon as the visa is granted. Once you’re over 30, this route is no longer available.
Argentina
Argentine passport holders can apply from age 18 to 35. The 2026 quota had 1,000 places. It opened on 24 September and is already shown as closed for the year. The visa allows work under an employment or services contract.
Immigration New Zealand says applications will open again next year. As of 28 September 2026, no 2027 date had been published. The 2026 calendar was announced on 15 January, so the next step is to watch for the new calendar.
If waiting until 2027 doesn’t work for you, compare the alternatives rather than forcing the plan. Studying in Australia on a Student Visa (subclass 500) is one option. It lets you study and work part-time, but it isn’t a Working Holiday. The costs, requirements and work conditions are different.
Chile
Chilean passport holders can apply from age 18 to 35. The quota opens on 15 October 2026 at 10:00 am New Zealand time and has 940 places.
By our calculation, that’s 6:00 pm on 14 October in mainland Chile. Time zones can catch people out, so check the time in your own city before opening day.
Chile also has a different employer condition: you can work for the same employer for no more than 6 months. With only 940 places, this isn’t an application to start preparing at the opening time. Have the documents ready beforehand.
What to prepare now
If your quota hasn’t opened yet, use the time to remove anything that could slow you down. For a Chilean passport, aim to have these ready before 15 October:
- An account in Immigration New Zealand’s online system.
- A passport that covers the whole stay plus 3 months.
- Bank statements showing the required funds.
- Medical insurance for the full stay.
- A ticket out of New Zealand, or extra funds to buy one.
- Clear answers about health and police history.
Insurance and proof of funds are often left until last. They’re also the things most likely to be delayed by a bank or insurer.
Meeting every requirement doesn’t hold a place for you. If the quota fills before you submit the application, you’ll have to wait for the 2027 calendar.
For Argentine passport holders, the job now is different:
- Check the official site regularly from the start of 2027.
- Prepare the funds and documents before the new date is announced.
- Make sure you’ll still fall within the age limit at the next opening.
If you’re unsure about a document, we can look at it with you before the quota opens.
How Australian Way helps
We start with the basics that decide whether the route is open to you: passport, age, travel dates and the funds you can show. That gives you a real answer before you spend time on the application.
We then build the document list with you and stay close while you prepare. If your country’s quota has already closed, we’ll compare other options, including study in Australia, without pretending they’re the same visa.
Our guidance is free from the first conversation to the end of the process.
Frequently asked questions
When does the New Zealand Working Holiday open for Chile?
The 2026 quota opens on 15 October at 10:00 am New Zealand time. There are 940 places , and the quota closes when they’re filled.
Can I still apply with an Argentine passport in 2026?
No. Argentina’s quota of 1,000 places opened on 24 September 2026 and is already shown as closed. You’ll need to wait for the 2027 calendar, which doesn’t yet have a published opening date.
How much money do I need?
You must show at least 4,200 NZD for living costs. You’ll also need a ticket out of New Zealand or enough extra money to buy one.
How much does the visa cost?
The application costs 770 NZD. That includes the application charge, immigration levy and tourism levy. The money isn’t refunded if the visa is refused.
Can I apply at 32?
It depends on your passport. With a Spanish passport, no, because the limit is 30 years . With an Argentinean or Chilean passport, yes: the limit is there 35 years .
Can I extend my Working Holiday visa in New Zealand?
Yes, for an additional fee 3 months , If you have worked for at least 3 months in horticulture or viticulture. The extension costs are included in the price. NZD 800 .
Write to us with your passport country, your age, and the date you’d like to travel. At Australian Way, we’ll work with you to find the best option for you, and the review is free and without obligation.
