Working Holiday Visa Christchurch: Embark on an adventure in the largest city on the South Island

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Why choose Christchurch as your arrival city for a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand?

Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch is a city in full renaissance. After the earthquakes of 2010-2011, it has rebuilt itself with creativity, modernity and openness.

What Christchurch offers to Belgian Working Holiday Visa holders:

An active job market , especially in construction, tourism, hospitality and horticulture
Rents are more affordable than in Auckland or Queenstown
A relaxed atmosphere , perfect for settling in quickly
access to mountains, beaches, and national parks
A city less saturated with backpackers , with a real demand for labor

🎯 Christchurch is an excellent starting point for those who wish to settle, work and then travel around the South Island.

Location: Canterbury region on the South Island

Distinctive feature : the gateway to New Zealand nature

Population: approximately 380,000 inhabitants

Climate: temperate, with mild summers and cool winters

The must-sees: Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum, Punting on the Avon, Port Hills, Akaroa, Antarctic Centre, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Type of work: teaching, agricultural industry, technology, health, arts and culture, tourism, commerce, etc.

How to go to Christchurch on a Working Holiday Visa?

To live in Christchurch with a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa , you must meet the requirements and follow the standard visa application steps, both listed below.

🔹 Working Holiday Visa Service : Start your New Zealand Working Holiday Visa in Auckland or Queenstown to benefit from the support of our local job assistance partners. They will help you with all your administrative procedures and guide you towards job and accommodation opportunities in Christchurch. Then, take advantage of our partner school in Christchurch (also located in Queenstown) to take English classes and get your stay off to a great start. Ideal for getting settled in before you begin your job search.

✈️ Christchurch has an international airport : it is therefore an excellent direct gateway to the South Island.

Preparing for my departure on a Working Holiday Visa to Christchurch

Steps to take before leaving for a Working Holiday Visa in Christchurch

Visit the official New Zealand immigration website for:

Create your account,
Working Holiday Visa application form ,
Attach the required documents (passport, proof of funds),
Pay the application fee ( NZ$770, approximately €400 at the rate of 1 NZD = €0.52).

Browse our tutorial to obtain your New Zealand Working Holiday Visa .

👉 Once your visa is approved, you have 12 months to enter New Zealand .

Conditions for going on a Working Holiday Visa to Christchurch from Belgium

Are you Belgian and dreaming of a Working Holiday Visa in Christchurch , New Zealand? It's possible thanks to the Working Holiday Visa signed between Belgium and New Zealand. Here are the official requirements to be eligible for the program.

To be able to apply for a Working Holiday Visa from Belgium, you must:

✅ Be of Belgian nationality (and holder of a valid Belgian passport),
✅ Must be between 18 and 30 years old inclusive at the time of application,
✅ Not having already benefited from a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand ,
✅ Not having dependent children during the stay,
✅ Have a minimum of NZD 4,200 (approximately €2,500) in an account in your name,
✅ Be in good health (a medical examination may be required depending on your background),
✅ Be prepared to take out health and repatriation insurance for the entire duration of the stay.

Price of a Christchurch PVT pack

It all depends on the package you choose.

The basic package costs €3299 in 2025. The activities package costs €3599 , and the complete package price will depend on the number of weeks of classes, the number of hours of classes per week, and the school where you wish to take English courses. You can generate an quote below to get an initial idea of the prices. However, we recommend contacting us directly , as the system does not always take into account current promotions or discounts .

more affordable destination than the major cities in the north of the country, while offering excellent job prospects .

WHAT TO DO IN AND AROUND Christchurch?

Christchurch and its surroundings offer a variety of exciting experiences, from botanical gardens and the Canterbury Museum to rowing on the River Avon, hiking in the Port Hills, and excursions to charming Akaroa. Discover New Zealand's wildlife at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and relax on Sumner Beach. Don't forget to take a ride on the Christchurch Gondola for spectacular views. Explore our Christchurch guide.

Discover our dossier on Christchurch

Christchurch on a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand

Language Schools New Zealand

Christchurch, also known as the Garden of New Zealand, is the largest city on the South Island. Our partner school in Christchurch is located in the heart of this vibrant and progressive city. The school is modern, places great emphasis on the development of its students' English (NZQA Category 1), and offers the opportunity to make friends from all over the world, with 35 different nationalities represented each year.

Part-time English courses (15 hours/week)
Intensive English courses or IELTS preparation (20 or 25 hours/week), courses start every first Monday of the month

Combine your language stay at our other partner school: Queenstown!

host family queenstown working holiday visa New Zealand

Accommodation with a host family on a half-board basis (full board on weekends) in a private room. The school is accessible on foot or by bus.

International themed evenings, outings, games, skiing, snowboarding (we are in the southern hemisphere, winter extends from June to August inclusive).

Queenstown, due to its location and local regulations, faces a housing challenge. Horizontal construction is limited by the surrounding mountains, and vertical construction is restricted to preserve city views. Consequently, finding accommodation once you arrive can be extremely competitive. However, since accommodation is usually linked to your course, it is recommended that you take your courses in Queenstown to facilitate your move and avoid major housing-related problems.

Our destinations in New Zealand

* city of arrival to benefit from job assistance

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Transportation

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