Applicants from Hong Kong applying for a working holiday in New Zealand
The New Zealand and Hong Kong Governments operate a reciprocal working holiday scheme designed to allow young persons to experience life in each other's jurisdiction.
There are 400 places per year available under the scheme. The visa is a multiple entry work visa valid for a one year stay in New Zealand and can be used for your first entry for up to a year after issue. You can study in one course of less than three months duration while in New Zealand. You cannot work for the same employer for more than three months.
Who's eligible ?
To obtain a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa you must:
- be a resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR);
- be ordinarily resident in the HKSAR at time of application;
- have a valid BNO or HKSAR passport;
- intend primarily to holiday in New Zealand;
- be aged between 18 and 30 and not be accompanied by dependant spouse or children;
- must have at least NZ$4,200 and have a return or onward ticket when you arrive in New Zealand;
- be in good health and of good character; and
- hold full "travel medical insurance policy" for the time you will be in New Zealand
Your application
Applications can only be submitted online.
You can get all the necessary information on how to apply specific to the New Zealand working holiday visa from Hong Kong as well as link to the application site on the webpage of Immigration New Zealand here.
There is a Q&A webpage which answers many common questions relating to working holiday visas at this page.
Directly link here to the application page. You may also check the status of submitted applications at this page.
Important notes
If you have ever been sentenced for any offence, or refused a visa or entry to any country, you must declare them when you apply for your visa. If you fail to declare convictions, previous visa refusals, or arrive with insufficient funds and no return ticket, you will be refused entry to New Zealand on arrival - even if you hold a visa.
Lodging your application
You can apply for a working holiday visa online via the link at this page.
Finding work while in New Zealand
Many seasonal industries throughout New Zealand seek people with working holiday visas for casual employment. You can find out about work opportunities by visiting the local Department of Work and Income (DWI) service centres found in each region.
How about New Zealanders wanting to work in Hong Kong?
The Hong Kong Government has information available for New Zealand persons seeking to obtain a working holiday visa for Hong Kong.
Visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department website.
