New Zealand Citizens Enjoy Fee-Free Working Holiday in Finland

Finland offers Working Holiday residence permits to citizens of four countries: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Canada. However, New Zealand citizens are exempt from paying the application fee when applying for this permit.

This exemption is due to a bilateral agreement on the abolition of visas established between Finland and New Zealand in 1973. The Working Holiday permit allows young individuals to travel and work temporarily in Finland.

Finland operates on a reciprocal basis, meaning only nationals from countries with formal agreements are eligible. Citizens from Australia, Japan, and Canada must pay an electronic application fee of €530 or a paper application fee of €630.

The historical agreement with New Zealand provides its passport holders a distinct advantage, as no similar arrangement exists with the other three countries. This exemption highlights the ongoing relevance of the 1973 agreement in contemporary immigration practices.