A Guide to the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
About the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa.
The New Zealand working holiday visa is a superb opportunity to combine the chance to work, study, and travel in a new country. Perfect for first time travellers, New Zealand is an English-speaking country with a safe environment and a friendly laid-back atmosphere.
The working holiday visa is open to many countries, Japan, Mexico and Korea to name a few. Acquiring a working holiday visa is not a difficult process, although you may find a limit to the number of visas granted to your country each year. The visa allows 12 months of temporary work (some countries 23), and permits study of up to three months. You are free to leave and re-enter the country as much as you like during your time in New Zealand.
Certain criteria must be fulfilled in order to be granted a working holiday visa. Firstly, you have to be aged between 18 and 30. You must also provide proof of funds for your time overseas. Immigration requires you show a minimum of NZ$4,200 for each year you intend to stay in New Zealand. You must also hold a return ticket or show sufficient funds to purchase one.
The Application Process.
Applications can be completed by visiting your local New Zealand immigration office, by post, or through the internet. Applying online is fast, efficient, and extremely convenient. Once on the immigration website (www.immigration.govt.nz), you will need to select your choice of visa, and country of citizenship. Once registered, you can begin the application form.
Now that you have created a login, you are able to save and complete the application when you please. The form contains four areas to be completed. The application does not go into great detail and can be completed in approximately one hour. However, depending on your country and length of stay, you maybe asked to produce additional documentation.
In the first section, you will be required to enter your personal information, including passport details and occupation. Following that, you will be required to give information about your health. If applying for the 12 month visa, medical certificates are not required. However, if you have spent over 3 months in a country not considered low risk for TB, you will be required to have a chest x-ray. This is easily arranged through your local hospital. For all 23 month visa applications, medical and x-ray certificates are mandatory.
The application also requires information about your character, including any charges and convictions. Lastly, immigration will need general information about your trip. Travel funds, anticipated arrival date, and duration in New Zealand are three questions asked. Once the form is complete, you will submit it along with the appropriate fee, made payable by MasterCard or Visa.
Unless you have medical certificates to be completed, you shouldn’t have too wait long to receive a reply. If successful, your visa will arrive electronically on your login page, ready for you to print off and take on your journey. Once you land in New Zealand, be prepared to present all documentation including visa, travel insurance and bank statements to airport immigration.
Student Visas
If you wish to study in New Zealand longer than three months you can apply for a student visa. This permit allows you to stay in New Zealand for a set time at a specific location. Similar to the working holiday visa, you must provide evidence of funds (approximately NZ$9800 per year of study), satisfy the health/character requirements, and have plans to leave New Zealand.
For a student visa you must also provide details of your chosen education provider, along with the offer of placement. All courses must be approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (this also holds for those on the working holiday visa). You must also declare course information, fees, and duration of study. The student visa costs around NZ$200.
Educational Institutions
There are seven state-funded universities in New Zealand, each internationally respected and uniquely located. On the North Island you can find The University of Auckland, University of Waikato, Massey University, and Victoria University of Wellington. The remaining three: University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, and the University of Otago are nestled in the South Island.
Auckland is an attractive choice for those looking to study down under. Due to New Zealand’s relaxed visa restrictions, Auckland is a diverse city with a whole host of different nationalities. The University of Auckland (www.auckland.ac.nz) is New Zealand’s largest university with 40,000 students. Auckland University of Technology (www.aut.ac.nz) is another popular choice. It offers full, part-time, and short-time courses in a variety of different subjects.
Finding Accommodation
Auckland has a wide selection of accommodation. Both city centre and suburbs provide affordable prices with charming surroundings. In preparation for your stay, make yourself aware of prices for a certain area. This will provide you with more confidence when making a final decision. Both www.finda.co.nz and www.trademe.co.nz are excellent sites to familiarise yourself with availability and pricing.
Although accommodation can be arranged prior to arriving, I would advise against making any irrevocable plans. Before landing in Auckland I had arranged to visit an apartment block which had impressed me online. On seeing the apartment, not only were the rooms different to those on the website, they were also shared, which was something not stated online.
Using an agency isn’t usually my cup of tea, yet in this instance it more than paid off. I was lucky enough to find City Sales (www.citysales.co.nz), located near the city centre. One week’s rent was a small fee to pay for the “personal touch” I received. After being shown several apartments I was in a confident position to decide which was best for me. A one bedroom apartment (for 2 persons), fully furnished, and in the heart of the city cost around NZ$270 per week.
The Right Bank Account
Unlike many other countries, New Zealand banks like to make charges for everyday usage. You can expect to pay a small fee for using bank-tellers, receiving paper statements, and making withdrawals from other cash points. On the positive side, New Zealand banks offer highly competitive interest rates for savings accounts.
Bank of New Zealand, The National Bank, and Westpac are popular high-street banks you may choose to open an account with. Proof of address, two photo identifications and a deposit will be required when opening an account.
Life in Auckland
Auckland’s character has been shaped by the geographical forces of the past. Green peaks, sparkling ocean, and city lights are now home to 1.3 million people. Aucklanders have a passion for boats, sailing, and outdoor pursuits in general. Quality of life is good in New Zealand, and this is reflected in the workplace and how people choose to spend their leisure time. However, one word of warning, import tax is high and this is reflected in prices. Purchase anything not made in New Zealand and expect to pay a little more than you would back home.
To even have the opportunity to work or study abroad should be considered a privilege. Studying abroad, whatever the duration, doesn’t just show the ability to learn under a new style of teaching. It demonstrates confidence, independence, and a passion to delve into the unknown. With the current visa schemes offered by New Zealand making it easy for foreign citizens to study in a unique part of the world, there is no better time to find out what life in New Zealand could mean for you.
