WI4.1 Requirements for all working holiday scheme applicants (27/07/2009)

As well as meeting the specific requirements for the relevant working holiday scheme, applicants must also meet the requirements under Generic Temporary Entry Policy, and the conditions below.

WI4.1.1 General conditions

1. Under the working holiday schemes, young citizens of approved countries may holiday in New Zealand and undertake employment during their stay in accordance with their scheme.
2. To be eligible for a work visa and permit under these schemes, applicants, in addition to meeting the requirements of the particular scheme they are applying under, must:
   1. hold a valid passport from the country whose scheme they are applying under, and
   2. be aged no less than 18 years of age and no more than 30 years of age, and
   3. not be accompanied by children, and
   4. have a return ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket, and
   5. submit an application in the prescribed manner, and
   6. pay the appropriate fee (if any), and
   7. meet health and character requirements as set out at E6, and
   8. be the holder of a valid temporary permit if applying from within New Zealand, and
   9. not previously have been approved a visa or permit under a working holiday scheme.
3. Applicants are not required to provide evidence of a job offer.
4. Where a scheme has an 'ordinarily resident' requirement the applicant's usual place of permanent residence must be that country. This requirement is considered to be met if the applicant has not been absent from that country for more than two years immediately preceding the application.
5. Successful applicants must not undertake permanent employment unless they apply for and obtain a work permit that enables this as provided by WI4.1.5 below.
6. Successful applicants may enrol in one or more courses of training or study of up to 3 months’ duration in total during their visit to New Zealand, unless their scheme allows a longer period.

WI4.1.5 Ability to change status

1. Once in New Zealand holders of such permits may, at any time during the currency of that permit, apply to change their status to that of:
   1. a long-term temporary worker, or
   2. a student, or
   3. a resident, and

   will be considered under those immigration policies relevant to the type of permit applied for.

WI4.1.10 Ability to apply using the online system

Immigration Regulations 1999 Reg 3A

The online application system is accessed through the INZ website at www.immigration.govt.nz under "Online Application for a NZ Working Holiday".

Effective 27/07/2009