WI4.125 Thailand Working Holiday Scheme

1. This scheme allows 100 young citizens of the Kingdom of Thailand annually:
   1. to be issued a work visa valid for travel for 12 months from date of issue, and upon arrival in New Zealand to be granted a work permit for a maximum of 12 months; or
   2. if applying from within New Zealand, to be granted a work permit valid for a maximum of 12 months.
2. Successful applicants will also be issued multiple entry work visas, valid for the same period as the work permit, allowing re-entry to New Zealand on any number of occasions.
3. To be eligible for a work visa or permit under this scheme, applicants must:
   1. be a citizen of the Kingdom of Thailand at the time of applying, and
   2. have a minimum of NZ$7,000 available funds for their maintenance during the period of stay in New Zealand, and
   3. agree to hold medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance to remain in force throughout their stay in New Zealand, and
   4. provide a letter of support from the Thailand Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups; and
   5. have a tertiary qualification granted in respect of a minimum of three years' full time study, and
   6. have a level of proficiency in English that is assessed as at least functional.

      Note: For the purposes of this policy an applicant's proficiency in English is deemed to be at least functional if they:
      ~ produce evidence of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS), showing they achieved an average level of 4.5 over the four components of the test; or
      ~ produce evidence of having completed all primary and at least three years' secondary education where all instruction was in English; or
      ~ produce evidence of having completed at least five years' secondary education where all instruction was in English; or
      ~ produce evidence of having gained a post-secondary qualification that required at least two years' fulltime study or training where all tuition was in English; or
      ~ are assessed by way of an interview with an NZIS visa or immigration officer who speaks fluent English.

4. Participants in this scheme must not work for the same employer for a period exceeding three months.
5. Applicants under this scheme must lodge their application in the prescribed manner (E4.45, E4.55). Applicants may apply by using the online application system.

Effective 07/07/2010