Status: In force (Rolling opening dates throughout 2026)
2026 opening dates for capped working holiday schemes confirmed
Immigration New Zealand has confirmed the official 2026 opening dates and annual place allocations for 32 capped Working Holiday Schemes. Eligible young citizens must verify their country's specific launch schedule and prepare application documentation in advance.
What this means in practice
Working Holiday Schemes allow eligible international visitors to holiday and work in New Zealand for specified durations. For 2026, Immigration New Zealand has scheduled rolling opening dates spanning from February through November 2026. Annual quotas vary across participating countries and territories, ranging from 50 places for nations such as Portugal, Malta, and Croatia up to 15,000 places for the United Kingdom.
Application windows remain open only until annual quotas are fully reached. Leftover places from 2025 remain available until quotas are exhausted and reset on each scheme's 2026 opening date.
Who should check this
This update applies directly to prospective young applicants holding citizenship in one of the 32 nations subject to capped Working Holiday Schemes in New Zealand who plan to apply during the 2026 schedule.
Practical checklist
- Verify your country-specific opening date and annual quota limit on official channels.
- Ensure your passport is valid for the required duration beyond your planned stay.
- Gather supporting financial evidence for initial maintenance and return travel.
- Prepare required health and character documentation ahead of your opening window.
Important limits or current position
Participation in a New Zealand Working Holiday Scheme is subject to eligibility criteria, age limits, and annual volume caps. This overview provides general planning information only and does not guarantee visa approval or quota availability.
Not sure whether this update affects your plan? Start your NZ visa assessment
This article is general information, not individual immigration advice.
Source note: Based on an official Immigration New Zealand announcement published 15 January 2026. Article status: In force [1].
[1] Immigration New Zealand. (2026, January 15). 2026 opening dates for capped Working Holiday Schemes confirmed. Open source on immigration.govt.nz ↗