Working Holiday Scheme

- last updated 30 September 2010-

Working holiday schemes provide the opportunity for young Argentine and New Zealand citizens, and Uruguayan and New Zealand citizens, to experience the culture of the other’s country by working at short-term, temporary jobs while they holiday and/or travel within the country. They are NOT a means of obtaining long-term, permanent employment.

Quotas are set by a bilateral agreement between Governments. The Embassy does not have the authority to vary the number of places. There are currently 1000 working holiday visas available each year for Argentina, and 200 each year for Uruguay. 

Places are filled on-line on a first-come, first-served basis: NO applicant will receive priority treatment and there is no "quota" of visas set aside for any group.

Competition for the available quota is very strong, with many more applicants than visas available, and many people applying at the same time. It is inevitable that many applicants will be unsuccessful in their application for a visa. 

For that reason we strongly advise against the purchase of air-tickets, or taking of decisions such as terminating current study or employment, until applicants have received confirmation that a visa has been granted.

The working holiday visa schemes for Argentine and Uruguayan applicants, like all others, are operated by Immigration New Zealand on whose behalf the New Zealand Embassy in Buenos Aires acts.

The online application process is available at www.immigration.govt.nz

Argentina

The quota of 1000 places for 2010-11 will open at 10.00am on 15 October 2010 (6.00pm on 14 October 2010, Argentine time).

Uruguay

The quota of 200 places for 2010-11 will open at 3.00pm on 1 October 2010 (0.00am on 1 October, Uruguay time).

New Zealand

If you are a New Zealand applicant, please visit www.arg.org.nz/consular/visas for further information.

For further information in Spanish on Working Holiday Visas for New Zealand, requirements and frequently asked questions, please change the language by selecting “Español” on the top right hand side of the page.