The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa for Filipinos
The Philippines scheme has just 100 places. It requires a tertiary qualification of at least three years' full-time university study, plus English evidence. It opened at 10:00 New Zealand time on 12 March 2026 and has since filled. Age 18–30, 12 months, NZ$4,200 in funds, NZ$770 to apply.
Quick Facts
| Places in 2026 | 100 — one of the smallest schemes in the system |
| 2026 opening | 12 March 2026, 10:00 New Zealand time — now filled |
| Age | 18–30 inclusive |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Funds | NZ$4,200, plus a return ticket or the money to buy one |
| Qualification | Tertiary qualification — at least 3 years' full-time university study |
| English | Required — a test result, or a tertiary qualification taught in English |
| Cost | NZ$770 = NZ$215 + NZ$455 immigration levy + NZ$100 IVL |
| Transit through Auckland | The Philippines holds a transit waiver, though it is not a visa-waiver country |
| Source | INZ Philippines scheme page and Operational Manual WI2, read 20 August 2026 |
Status as at 20 August 2026
The scheme opened on 12 March 2026 and has filled. It will not accept new applications until its 2027 opening date, which INZ publishes in January.
Places are allocated first come, first served from the opening moment — there is no draw, no lottery and no random selection. See how places are actually allocated.
No service can obtain a place in a closed scheme. Anyone offering one is committing fraud — see immigration scams to avoid and how to spot a fake NZ immigration website.
One hundred places, against enormous demand
This is one of the tightest schemes in the entire system. 100 places, shared among a population of well over 100 million, in a country that is New Zealand's second-largest source of work visas.
Two smaller schemes exist — Portugal, Luxembourg and Malta hold 50 each — but none faces demand on this scale.
The practical consequence is that the opening moment matters more here than almost anywhere. Every document has to be ready weeks in advance, because a tertiary verification and an English test cannot be produced in March for a March opening.
The two extra requirements
A tertiary qualification
You need a tertiary qualification representing at least three years of full-time university study. This is not a scheme open to school leavers, and it is one of only seven schemes with a qualification requirement.
English evidence
The Philippines is one of six schemes with a genuine English proficiency requirement, alongside China, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam and Peru.
It can be satisfied in one of two ways: an acceptable test result, or a tertiary qualification that was taught in English. That second route matters a great deal here, because a large share of Philippine university instruction is in English — many applicants can meet the requirement with the degree they already hold, rather than by sitting a test.
We do not publish accepted tests or minimum scores. INZ's own English page for these schemes does not list them; it directs applicants to a lookup tool. Check the tool rather than a figure found on a third-party site.
What it costs
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | NZ$215 |
| Immigration levy | NZ$455 |
| International Visitor Levy | NZ$100 |
| Total | NZ$770 |
There has been no general INZ fee or levy increase since 1 October 2024. Budget separately for any English test, document translations, and medical insurance covering hospitalisation for the whole stay.
If you missed the 100 places
The Philippines relationship with New Zealand is very much larger than this scheme, and the alternatives are heavily used.
Filipinos were New Zealand's second-largest work visa cohort in FY2025/26, with 24,769 approvals — up 32% — and second cumulatively on the Accredited Employer Work Visa at 47,530.
The Philippines is also New Zealand's fastest-growing census birthplace, rising from 67,632 to 99,264 people, a 47% increase.
| Route | What it needs | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | An accredited employer, a job of 30+ hours a week, and either 2 years' relevant experience or a Level 4 qualification | From NZ$1,540 |
| Fee Paying Student Visa | An offer of place from an approved provider. Work rights of up to 25 hours a week | From NZ$850 |
| Working holiday, next year | Being inside the age range on the 2027 opening date | NZ$770 |
Which of these fits a particular person is regulated immigration advice in New Zealand. Use a licensed immigration adviser or a New Zealand lawyer rather than an unlicensed agent.
Transit through Auckland
The Philippines is not on New Zealand's visa-waiver list, but it is on the 26-country transit-waiver list. Filipino citizens may change planes at Auckland International Airport without a Transit Visa, though an NZeTA is still required.
Two limits apply. It covers Auckland only — routing through Christchurch, Wellington or Queenstown is not transit. And it permits a maximum of 24 hours in the transit area, with no baggage collection. See do I need a visa for a layover in New Zealand.
Step 1: Confirm your qualification meets the three-year test
At least three years of full-time university study. Check it against the scheme page before anything else.
Step 2: Sort English evidence early
Either a qualification taught in English, or an acceptable test result. Confirm which tests INZ accepts through its lookup tool.
Step 3: Evidence NZ$4,200, plus the return ticket separately
Bank statements in your own name, with the balance in place well before opening day.
Step 4: Arrange medical insurance for the whole 12 months
Full cover including hospitalisation, and it may be checked when you arrive in New Zealand.
Step 5: Be logged in and ready at 10:00 New Zealand time on opening day
With 100 places, this is not a scheme where you can assemble documents after the scheme opens. See how to apply and opening dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many places does the Philippines working holiday scheme have?
100 a year. It opened on 12 March 2026 at 10:00 New Zealand time and filled during 2026.
Is the Philippines scheme still open?
No. It filled after opening on 12 March 2026. The 2027 opening date will be published by INZ in January.
Do Filipinos need a degree?
Yes. The scheme requires a tertiary qualification representing at least three years of full-time university study. It is one of only seven schemes with a qualification requirement.
Do I need an English test?
You need English evidence, but it does not have to be a test. A tertiary qualification taught in English also satisfies the requirement — which is how many Philippine applicants meet it. INZ does not publish accepted tests or minimum scores on its own page, so use its lookup tool.
How much money do I need?
NZ$4,200, plus a return ticket or enough money to buy one, which must be additional.
How quickly did the 100 places go?
INZ publishes no fill-time data for any scheme, so no honest figure exists. The scheme opened on 12 March 2026 and had filled by 20 August 2026.
What are the alternatives if I missed it?
An Accredited Employer Work Visa, which needs an accredited employer and a job offer and costs from NZ$1,540, or a Fee Paying Student Visa from NZ$850 with work rights of up to 25 hours a week. Filipinos were New Zealand's second-largest work visa cohort in FY2025/26 with 24,769 approvals.
Do I need a visa to change planes in Auckland?
No Transit Visa is needed — the Philippines is on the transit-waiver list — but an NZeTA is still required, and the waiver covers Auckland International Airport only, for up to 24 hours, with no baggage collection.
Can I apply twice?
No. The visa can be held once in a lifetime, and INZ's pages state that this applies even if you never used the visa you were granted.
