See which New Zealand routes fit you
8 questions set up your free workspace.
Transita scores your profile against New Zealand programmes and ranks them next to the other destinations we cover. Answer 8 questions to set up your free workspace. You see which routes you appear to qualify for, what may block each one and the official page to check.
Build my workspaceAmericans can apply for working holiday routes in New Zealand, Ireland and Singapore. Australia's 417, Canada's IEC and the UK Youth Mobility Scheme do not take US passports.
The routes open to US passports
| Route | Who it is for | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday Visa | Young people from partner countries, no student rule recorded | $440 (NZD $770) |
| Working Holiday Authorisation | Over 18, students and recent graduates | Not recorded from a primary source |
| Work Holiday Pass | Ages 18 to 25, undergraduates and graduates of a recognised US university | $137 (SGD 175) |
New Zealand
New Zealand's Working Holiday Visa lists the US among its partner countries. Immigration New Zealand records 80% of applications decided within 2 weeks. Our New Zealand working holiday guide has the funds requirement and the route to a longer visa. The age band differs by country, so confirm the US limit on the Immigration New Zealand page for your passport.
Ireland
Ireland's Working Holiday Authorisation includes the US, on terms that differ from the other partners: US citizens over 18 qualify if they are in full-time post-secondary education or graduated in the last 12 months. Places are quota-limited each year. Read the Irish embassy page for US applicants (checked 26 October 2026) before you apply.
Singapore
The Work Holiday Pass is the one with the tightest rules. The Ministry of Manpower requires you to be 18 to 25 at the time of application and an undergraduate or graduate of a recognised university in Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States. The pass lasts 6 months and is not renewable. Our Singapore Work Holiday Pass guide has the rest.
The popular ones that do not accept Americans
- Canada. The US is not among the partner countries on the canada.ca eligibility page. Americans can only join through a recognized organization. See International Experience Canada (Working Holiday).
- Australia. The eligible passports for Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) do not include the US. Australia's separate Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) covers other partner countries, so check its Home Affairs page for your passport.
- United Kingdom. Youth Mobility Scheme does not list the US in our catalogue. Our Youth Mobility Scheme guide covers who does qualify.
If you are past the age limit or not a student
Frequently asked questions
Can Americans get a working holiday visa?
Yes, in a short list of countries. Transita's catalogue lists the US as an eligible passport for New Zealand, Ireland and Singapore. The big schemes people search for, Australia's 417, Canada's IEC and the UK Youth Mobility Scheme, do not accept US passports.
Can US citizens do a working holiday in Australia?
Not on the Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) visa, whose eligible passport list does not include the US. Australia runs a separate Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) for other partner countries. Read the Home Affairs page for your passport before you plan around it.
Can US citizens use Canada's International Experience Canada programme?
Not directly. The US is not one of the partner countries on the canada.ca eligibility page. Americans can only take part through a recognized organization.
Is there a UK working holiday visa for Americans?
The Youth Mobility Scheme is the UK's version, and the United States is not on the passport list in Transita's catalogue. Check the eligibility page on gov.uk, which holds the current list.
Do Americans need to be students for a working holiday visa?
For two of the three open routes, yes. Ireland's US agreement is for students and recent graduates: US citizens over 18 qualify if they are in full-time post-secondary education or graduated in the last 12 months. Singapore's Work Holiday Programme is for undergraduates and graduates aged 18 to 25 of a recognised US university. New Zealand's scheme does not make a student requirement part of our record.
How much does a working holiday visa cost for Americans?
New Zealand's is $440 (NZD $770) including the visitor levy. Singapore's pass is $137 (SGD 175) when it is issued. We do not record a sourced fee for Ireland's authorisation, so check the Irish immigration page.
More guides
- Australian Citizenship in 2026: The 4-Year Rule, the Absence Limits and the Test →
- Singapore Digital Nomad Visa 2026: What Exists Instead →
- Can I Move to Singapore as a Nurse? Passes 2026 →
- Can I Move to Singapore as a Software Engineer? EP 2026 →
- Can I Move to Singapore as a Teacher? Work Pass Options 2026 →
- New Zealand immigration guide →
- Ireland immigration guide →
Checked on: the visa figures cited in this guide come from the Transita visa database, whose entries were last reviewed between 11 May 2026 and 2 November 2026.
official sources: WHV · immigration.govt.nz·WHA · irishimmigration.ie·WHP · mom.gov.sg·IEC · canada.ca·YMS (T5) · gov.uk·WHM 417 · immi.homeaffairs.gov.au