INZ Updates on Working Holiday Visa for UK Citizens

From 1 July 2023, updates to the New Zealand Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) will allow UK citizens to travel and work in New Zealand longer. The outline of key changes for UK travelers are as follows:

• The WHV will be open to UK travellers aged 18-35 years.
• UK WHV holders can stay in New Zealand for up to three years.
• UK WHV holders can work the full duration of their visa and,
• an annual cap of 15,000 UK Working Holiday Visas will apply.

In July 2022, the UK and New Zealand Prime Ministers first announced the planned updates to the WHS, and the Youth Mobility Scheme for New Zealand travellers to the UK.

The updates are a positive development for the Kiwis and Brits wanting to work and explore the other side of the world, as well as for the businesses who hire them.

Required information
When the total length of stay is over 12 months, UK WHV visa applicants will need to provide INZ with a medical and chest x-ray certificate.

If the total length of stay is planned for 36 months, then police certificates will also be required.

Current UK WHS visa holders
From 1 July 2023, current UK Working Holiday visa holders will be able to apply for the new three-year maximum stay. This will also allow them to extend their stay and work for the rest of their time in New Zealand.

To support their application, current UK WHS visa holders will need to provide a medical and x-ray certificate if they haven't already, as well as police certificates

More information about the enhanced scheme will be available on the Immigration NZ website closer to the time.