[Updated] New Zealand: Resumption of Four Working Holiday Schemes

Last Updated on February 23, 2023

This article was originally published on 9 September 2022 and was updated on 3 November 2022 to reflect new information.  

3 November 2022 Update: The government of New Zealand introduced new working holiday visa schemes for foreign nationals holding expired visas. Foreign nationals granted a new working holiday visa will have an additional three-month period to enter New Zealand legally. As a result, holders granted new working holiday visas will be permitted to travel to New Zealand until 31 January 2023.  

Holders will then be permitted to remain in New Zealand for a period of 12 months or less. Throughout the period of stay, holders will be permitted to make multiple entries in and out of the country.    

The government of New Zealand will also extend permissions of working holiday visas that will expire between 26 August 2022 and 31 May 2023 by an additional six-month period beginning from the original expiration date.  

This will allow the government to double the Working Holiday Scheme caps with a one-off increase to recognize the spots that were unused last year due to the border restrictions. According to the government announcement, this could mean up to 12,000 more foreign nationals being welcomed to New Zealand under a working holiday visa over the next 12 months. 


Key Points  

  • The government of New Zealand will reopen Working Holiday visa schemes with the countries of Malaysia, Argentina, Chile, and Taiwan throughout September 2022 

Overview  

The government of New Zealand will reopen Working Holiday schemes with the four countries in September. According to the government announcement, the following schemes will reopen: 

  • Malaysia: 8 September 2022 
  • Argentina: 15 September 2022 
  • Chile: 22 September 2022 
  • Taiwan: 29 September 2022 

Working holiday visas are made available to foreign nationals usually between the ages of 18 to 30, or 18 to 35. The schemes allow eligible individuals to travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months, or for 23 months for nationals of the United Kingdom and Canada. 

Looking Ahead  

Continue to check the government of New Zealand’s website and Envoy’s website for the latest updates and information.  


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Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at one of the two U.S. Law Firms working with the Envoy Platform or another qualified professional. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult an Envoy global immigration service provider or another qualified representative.