New Zealand, also known as Aotearoa, meaning the land of the long white cloud, is a perfect holiday destination! The country is known for friendly people, breathtaking scenery, mouthwatering food and drinks, and numerous things to see and do.
Talk of the Manuka honey, wine, Kiwifruit, All Black Rugby team, and the traditional war dance, ‘Haka’. New Zealand’s working holiday scheme is the perfect opportunity to visit this beautiful country.
The best part is that they’re welcoming working holiday visa applications after the two years of COVID-19 restrictions. But here’s the kicker! Getting working holiday visas in New Zealand in 2022 can be a hassle!
We’ve put together this guide to point you in the right direction.
What is New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
First things first! What is a New Zealand working holiday visa? This special visa allows applicants to travel and work in New Zealand for a year. Uk and Canadian applicants get up to 23 months.
New Zealand’s working holiday scheme is a perfect opportunity for non-citizens to work and explore the country. The working holiday schemes application was open to the following countries on 14 March 2022.
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- The United Kingdom
- USA
- Japan
Other countries will get the opportunity on a rolling basis! The scheme forbids more than one working holiday visa, meaning you can have only one working holiday visa, ever.
Lastly, Non-US citizens are expected to pay an NZ $245 visa fee. U.S. citizens are fortunate not to pay any application fee when applying within the U.S.
Eligibility and Criteria for Working Holiday Visas
Who can apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa? One should be aged between 18 and 30. But, the threshold is between 18 and 35 if an applicant is from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, or Chile.
You also need the following to be eligible!
- Must be a citizen from an eligible country.
- Be in good health and without previous convictions.
- Your passport should be valid for at least 15 extra months.
- Medical insurance for the duration of your stay.
- No previous record of a working holiday visa.
- Proof of sufficient funds to support your stay. You need at least NZ $4,200.
- Dependents aren’t allowed, so you can’t come with your children and other family members.
- You shouldn’t accept permanent job positions during your stay.
- A return ticket. Alternatively, you can show proof of enough funds for a return ticket.
How to get a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
Getting a New Zealand working holiday visa can be a hurdle when applying for the first time. The good news is that you don’t need to sweat it. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide you can follow!
Step 1: Visit the New Zealand Immigration Website
Go to the New Zealand immigration website to sign up for an account. You’ll need the following to create an account; email address, first and last name, user name, and a strong password.
Step 2: Login and Select Working Holiday Scheme
Go to the login page and select the working holiday scheme. Then, select your country after logging in.
Step 3: Fill in Personal Details
You’ll need to fill in information like your personal data, health, character, and work holiday-specific information. Personal information includes your name, phone number, address, and date of birth.
The processing time varies from one immigration office to another. But on average, your New Zealand working holiday visa should be ready in about 20 working days.
New Zealand work holiday scheme is an excellent opportunity to visit New Zealand for fun and work. This comprehensive guide is what you need to hit the ground running! Be sure to contact us for further assistance if you run into any hurdles!
Interested in finding a role across New Zealand? Visit our Frog Recruitment website to find the job you love and help you on your journey: www.frogrecruitment.co.nz