– New Zealand opened its 2026 capped Working Holiday Scheme for Thai citizens on August 5.
The 2026 Working Holiday Scheme schedule sets a cap of 100 places for Thailand. Immigration New Zealand’s Thailand Working Holiday Visa page lists the scheme as open and says applications can be submitted online. It will remain open until the allocation is filled, then close until 2027.
Approved-application totals were numerically close to the scheme’s normal annual cap in the past two years. Immigration New Zealand data republished by Figure.NZ record 96 approved Thai applications in 2025 and 99 in 2024.
Approvals reached 192 in 2023. New Zealand had introduced a one-off doubling of capped Working Holiday Scheme allocations for 2022/23 after border closures left places unused. The figures cover visa decisions made during each calendar year and do not directly measure quota uptake, arrivals or the number of participants who ultimately worked in New Zealand.
Thai applicants must be aged 18 to 30, hold a qualifying tertiary education credential and meet English-language requirements. They must also obtain a support letter from Thailand’s Department of Children and Youth, hold medical insurance and show at least NZD $7,000 for living expenses, in addition to funds for onward travel.
The visa allows holders to stay in New Zealand for up to 12 months, undertake temporary work and complete up to six months of study or training. They may work for any one employer for no more than three months and cannot accept permanent employment.
Applicants do not need a job offer before applying. Successful applicants outside New Zealand must enter within 12 months of the date their visa is issued.