2026 opening dates confirmed for capped Working Holiday Schemes (WHS)

The opening dates for New Zealand’s capped Working Holiday Schemes (WHS) in 2026 have now been confirmed. For people planning to apply, this is an important update, as places are limited and many schemes fill quickly once they open.

Each Working Holiday Scheme has a set number of places available each year. Once a scheme opens, applications remain open only until the quota is reached. When the places are filled, the scheme closes until the following year.

How the 2026 quotas work

For countries with capped Working Holiday Schemes (WHS), the number of available places resets on the 2026 opening date. If a scheme still has places remaining from 2025, it will stay open until that quota is filled, then reopen again in 2026 with the new allocation.

This means timing matters. Some schemes close very quickly, while others remain open longer depending on demand.

2026 opening dates and places

The first capped Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) opens on 11 February 2026 for Malaysia. From there, opening dates are staggered through to November 2026, with quotas varying significantly by country.

Some examples include:

• United Kingdom: 15,000 places opening on 25 June 2026
• Korea: 3,000 places opening on 14 May 2026
• Spain: 2,000 places opening on 9 April 2026
• China: 1,000 places opening on 2 July 2026

Other schemes have much smaller quotas, with some countries allocated as few as 50 to 100 places. These schemes can fill very quickly once applications open.

A full list of countries, opening dates, and available places for 2026 has now been published by Immigration New Zealand.

Why this matters

If you are planning to apply for a Working Holiday visa under a capped WHS in 2026, knowing your scheme’s opening date in advance gives you time to prepare. Applications are assessed on a first-come basis once the scheme opens, so being ready can make a real difference.

This is particularly important for countries with smaller quotas, where places may be filled soon after applications open.

Planning ahead

Before your scheme opens, it is worth checking:

• that you meet the age and eligibility requirements
• that your passport is valid
• that you understand the application process for your country

If you are unsure which Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) applies to you or want help understanding the timing, our advisers are available to help.