Working Holidays in Ireland for young New Zealanders

Ireland and New Zealand have a reciprocal agreement under which each country allows young citizens from the other to fund a holiday through casual work. Each of the schemes is open to applicants aged 18-30.

As New Zealand citizens do not require a visa to enter Ireland, our scheme is not based on a visa, but on a Working Holiday Authorisation. Participants are issued with a document which they must carry with them when they travel to Ireland and produce upon request. This allows a qualifying traveller to engage in casual or temporary work in Ireland without the need for a work permit. It is valid for employment only when the bearer also presents a valid Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) Registration Card. You should apply for this card as soon as possible after arrival, either through the GNIB office at 13/14 Burgh Quay Dublin 2 (for residents of Dublin) or through your local Garda (police) station outside Dublin.

The Authorisation must be activated within twelve months of issue or it will lapse. It is not possible to extend the period of validity of Working Holiday Authorisations, or to accept a second application from someone who has already been granted an Authorisation (whether or not they availed of it).

The current Working Holiday Authorisation is activated by arrival of the holder in Ireland. The holder is subject to normal border immigration controls upon arrival. Applicants must have sufficient funds to support themselves for at least the initial part of the holiday or in the event of failing to secure employment. Immigration officials may request evidence of sufficient funds at the point of entry to Ireland. The Authorisation is valid for a period not exceeding 12 months after entry into Ireland.

How to apply

Applications can only be made through the Embassy of Ireland in Wellington. It is not possible to apply for a Working Holiday Authorisation from within Ireland.

Applicants must complete an application form and return it with the following:

• Completed application form
• Processing Fee of $120 NZD to be paid directly to the Embassy. Payment details:
  
  • Paid by bank (EFT) transfer to the bank details given below. Please print off a copy of the receipt and attach it to your application:
  • Bank Account Name: Department of Foreign Affairs
  • Bank Address: Westpac Bank, 318 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011
  • Account number: 03 0502 0501059 000
  • Description:Applicant full name and date of birth (e.g. John Murphy 14/01/1989).   
    • (If space is limited in the reference field, delete punctuation & shorten name e.g. J Murphy140189)
• Two recent passport photographs, each with your name on the reverse side.
• Your original passport, which should be valid to a date at least three months after you are due to depart Ireland.
• Evidence in the form of a statement from a bank, building society or similar savings agency that you have personal access to funds sufficient for the cost of both a return ticket and normal maintenance for a substantial part of your proposed holiday period in Ireland. You must be able to show that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay. This can be proved through showing you have $2,500.00 (or equivalent) plus a return ticket; or $5,000.00 (or equivalent);
• Return Self-Addressed Track and Trace envelope available from New Zealand Post. Please use Express Post if your application is urgent.

Please ensure that all questions are answered correctly. An incorrect or incomplete answer to any question will be taken into account when your application is being considered and could lead to a delay or refusal of your application.

The completed form, with supporting documents, fee and photos, should be sent by courier to the Embassy of Ireland, PO Box 11498, Manners Street, Wellington 6140.

The usual processing time is 15 working days from when we receive all required documentation.