New Zealand Working Holiday Visa Announces 2024 Application Schedule

(SPOT.ph) If you ask anyone about their dream destination, you're sure to find New Zealand on that list. We all know of the country's many attractions for adventure seekers and tourists of all kinds, but recently, it has also been making waves as a destination for those looking for jobs and better quality of life. If you're looking to explore New Zealand and see if the work culture there fits you, then this one's for you. The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is opening applications for eligible Filipinos again. Here's what you need to know about this visa work and travel visa scheme in 2024.

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Here's a quick guide for applying for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa in 2024:

Starting March 12, 10 a.m. NZDT (5 a.m. Philippine Standard Time), interested applicants can begin filing their forms online at the New Zealand Immigration website.

Filipinos aged 18 to 30 are welcome to apply for this short-term visa, which allows them to work and study in New Zealand for up to a year. To apply for the visa, applicants simply have to fill out the form on the New Zealand Immigration website, upload the necessary documents, and pay an application fee of NZD 455 (roughly P15, 673). Application fees can be paid using Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay credit/debit cards.

Only 100 Working Holiday Visas are issued every cycle, and it usually takes only about eight weeks for New Zealand Immigration to release 80% of the application results. Visa applications will close once all 100 Working Holiday Visas have been issued. 

What is a Working Holiday Visa?

A Working Holiday Visa (WHV) allows you to visit a host country for up to 12 months and take on jobs to cover living expenses and help fund your travels in that country.

Unlike the tourist visa, the WHV allows you to work during your short stay, granted your tenure per employer does not exceed three months, and take courses and study programs as long as these do not exceed a duration of six months. The WHV also lets you stay longer in NZ than the nine-month maximum stay limit on tourist/holiday visas.

Moreover, unlike a work visa, you don't need a job offer before applying for a New Zealand WHV.

Requirements for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

Those interested in applying for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa must be ready with the following requirements:

Passport

Ensure your passport is valid for at least three months before you depart from New Zealand. If your passport is nearing its expiry date, it's advisable to renew it before applying for the visa.

Proof of Funds

You will be asked to prove that you have at least NZD4,200 (approximately P144,672) to live on. You may be required to submit the following: 

• bank statements
• credit card statements
• bank drafts
• travelers' cheques

Proof of Onward Travel

You must have a ticket to leave New Zealand or have substantial financial proof to show you have enough money to purchase one.

Health and Travel Insurance

You must be able to provide proof that you are fully insured, including cover for hospitalization. Evidence may include:

• a copy of your insurance certificate
• an approval letter from your insurance company.

Education

Applicants must have a tertiary education qualification. Applicants may be asked to provide proof that they have completed at least 3 year's worth of tertiary-level full-time study. 

Language

An acceptable English language test result or a tertiary qualification from an institution where all the courses were taught in English must be provided upon application.

Proof of Good Health

After you submit your application, you may be contacted by New Zealand Immigration to provide a chest x-ray and a medical examination as proof of your health status.

Proof of Good Character

When filling out the application form online, you must answer questions about your character. Note that you may be required to provide Police Certificates as proof of your good character.

Note that you can only avail of the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa once. If you are granted a WHV, it can’t be delayed or canceled. If you don’t activate it, it will eventually lapse. Once it lapses, you can’t apply for another Working Holiday Visa.

Applicants are also advised that they cannot bring family members or spouses with them to New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa. If you have a partner or family member who wants to come to New Zealand, they must apply for their own visa.

New Zealand Working Holiday Visa applications open on March 12, 2024. For more information, visit New Zealand Immigration's website

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