2026 Working Holiday Visa schemes will open on fixed dates with limited places available for each participating country
If you are planning to apply for a Working Holiday Visa in 2026, this is a timely reminder to check key opening dates and prepare early.
New Zealand capped Working Holiday Schemes (WHS) for 2026 operate on fixed opening dates and annual quotas. These schemes allow eligible young people from partner countries to live, work and travel in New Zealand for a limited period, with each country allocated a specific number of places each year.
Once a scheme opens, applications remain available only until the cap is reached. When all places are taken, the scheme closes again until their next scheduled opening in 2027.
Why the change? Faster decisions for complete applications
The table below shows each country’s opening date for 2026 and the number of places available:
|
Working Holiday Scheme |
2026 Opening Date |
Cap (Places) |
|
Estonia |
4 March 2026 |
100 |
|
Philippines |
12 March 2026 |
100 |
|
Hong Kong |
19 March 2026 |
400 |
|
Slovenia |
1 April 2026 |
100 |
|
Spain |
9 April 2026 |
2,000 |
|
Hungary |
23 April 2026 |
100 |
|
Slovakia |
5 May 2026 |
100 |
|
Austria |
12 May 2026 |
100 |
|
Korea |
14 May 2026 |
3,000 |
|
Israel |
21 May 2026 |
200 |
|
Taiwan |
28 May 2026 |
600 |
|
Singapore |
3 June 2026 |
300 |
|
Czech Republic |
18 June 2026 |
1,200 |
|
United Kingdom |
25 June 2026 |
15,000 |
|
China |
2 July 2026 |
1,000 |
|
Luxembourg |
8 July 2026 |
50 |
|
Poland |
15 July 2026 |
100 |
|
Latvia |
22 July 2026 |
100 |
|
Thailand |
5 August 2026 |
100 |
|
Malta |
12 August 2026 |
50 |
|
Lithuania |
19 August 2026 |
100 |
|
Turkey |
27 August 2026 |
100 |
|
Croatia |
10 September 2026 |
100 |
|
Argentina |
24 September 2026 |
1,000 |
|
Peru |
1 October 2026 |
100 |
|
Brazil |
8 October 2026 |
300 |
|
Chile |
15 October 2026 |
940 |
|
Vietnam |
3 November 2026 |
200 |
|
Uruguay |
17 November 2026 |
200 |
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What applicants must do
- Applications open on the listed dates and close once the cap is reached.
- Some 2025 schemes remain open until their remaining places are filled.
- Places for high‑demand countries (such as the UK, Korea, Spain and Taiwan) typically fill quickly, so applicants should prepare early.
How Absolute Immigration NZ can help
Working Holiday Visa caps can fill fast, and requirements vary by country. Absolute Immigration NZ will support applicants by:
- Advising on eligibility and documentation
- Helping applicants prepare early for high‑demand opening dates
- Providing guidance on lodging a complete and compliant application
- Offering strategic advice for those considering future pathways beyond the WHV
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If you are planning to apply for a Working Holiday Visa, our team of Immigration Advisers can help you get organised and give your application the best chance of success. Contact aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com for expert immigration support.
