What You Need To Know – Working Holiday Visa
A Trekker Travel Guide to Working Holiday Visa’s in New Zealand!
Haere Mai and Welcome to New Zealand!
A country known for its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and friendly locals. If you’re looking to experience the best of New Zealand while also gaining work experience, a working holiday visa is the perfect option.
What is a New Zealand working holiday visa?
A New Zealand working holiday visa enables young people aged between 18 – 30 years old, from certain countries, to live, work, and travel around New Zealand for up to 12 months. The length of the visa will depend on your home country. Canadian passport holders can enjoy a 23-month stay by applying for an 11-month extension and UK passport holders up to 36 by applying for a 24-month extension. Some countries also have a slightly extended application age and applications can be made by people between the ages of 18 – 35.
Who is eligible for a New Zealand working holiday visa?
New Zealand has a working holiday agreement with 45 countries, including Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. However, the terms of the agreement vary depending on your nationality.
To check if your country has an agreement you should visit immigration.govt.nz
Once you have established your country has an agreement with New Zealand for a working holiday scheme, you also need to check that you are:
- Between 18 and 30 years old (or 35 for some countries)
- Holding a valid passport from an eligible country.
- Meet the required health and character standards.
- Have sufficient funds to support yourself.
- Have enough money to pay for a return ticket
- Be coming mainly to holiday, with both work or a short amount of study as your secondary intention.
- Have travel insurance if required that covers you for the duration of your stay
Can you extend your working holiday visa?
Yes, if you want to stay in New Zealand for an additional 3 months, you can apply for an extension visa that may be granted as long as you have done seasonal work in the viticulture or horticulture industries during your working holiday visa.
How to apply for a working holiday visa in New Zealand?
The application process for obtaining a working holiday visa in New Zealand is fairly simple. The entire application needs to be completed online and should only take around 30 minutes. You must check that the working holiday visa is currently listed as ‘open’ for applications. You will need to provide personal information, passport details, and proof of funds.
In most cases, you can apply for a working holiday visa from any country, including within New Zealand, however, some applications must be made from within your home country. If you make your application while you are in New Zealand on a different visa you might be required to provide a medical certificate and police check and you will need a New Zealand postal address. If you plan to remain in New Zealand for longer than 12 months total, regardless of visa type, you will be required to obtain a chest x-ray and a general medical examination by an immigration-approved service.
Once you have been granted your New Zealand working holiday visa, you must activate it by entering New Zealand within 1 year of approval. You cannot reapply for a working holiday visa once it has been granted.
How much does a working holiday visa cost?
Working holiday visa costs may vary depending on what country you are a passport holder. To find accurate and up-to-date pricing, you should visit the Immigration New Zealand website and search for application fees. You can search for the specific visa you require based on your country of passport and application.
How do you start working once you have the visa?
Working abroad in New Zealand can be overwhelming and exciting at the same time. But before you get settled, there are a few extra steps you’ll need to take to start working. On arrival in New Zealand, you will need to open a bank account and apply for an IRD number so that you can be taxed.
What jobs are available on a working holiday?
With a New Zealand working holiday visa, you can apply for and work in any job. You are not restricted to only working part-time or in a specific field. This means you can further your career and gain experience abroad without sacrificing the line of work you’re in, however, if you plan to apply for the working holiday visa extension you will need to consider working at least 3 months in a seasonal role in the viticulture or horticulture industries. Whilst on a working holiday visa you are not permitted to work on a permanent contract.
It is important to remember that this post may not include the most up-to-date information at the time of viewing and should only be used as a guide. You should always seek visa information and double-check the rules and regulations before applying for any visa directly on https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
New Zealand is the perfect destination for travellers looking for an adventure. So why wait? Apply for your working holiday visa today and start planning your New Zealand adventure!
