James Skinner
James is the Founder & Chief Executive of
CANZUK International in Vancouver, Canada
New measures under New Zealand’s Working Holiday Visa, which were negotiated alongside the New Zealand-UK Free Trade Agreement, will give UK citizens more open work rights in New Zealand for longer periods of time.
On Thursday, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, made the announcement, stating that the new and improved three-year New Zealand-UK Working Holiday Visas (WHV) will be implemented earlier than anticipated, starting in July of this year.
The enhanced WHV conditions will increase the age of eligibility from 30 to 35 years, allowing more individuals to qualify for the scheme. These changes will also provide open work rights to those who have secured visas, extending the length of their stay in New Zealand.
The improvements to the Working Holiday Visa are also reciprocal, providing New Zealanders with the same rights in the UK.
The enhanced WHV conditions will increase the age of eligibility from 30 to 35 years, allowing more individuals to qualify for the scheme. These changes will also provide open work rights to those who have secured visas, extending the length of their stay in New Zealand.
The improvements to the Working Holiday Visa are also reciprocal, providing New Zealanders with the same rights in the UK.
The new scheme is aimed at supporting businesses amidst the global labor shortage, and will allow citizens in both countries more opportunities to work and live in either country.
The UK will introduce its enhanced scheme from June 29th, 2023, while New Zealand’s will come into force from July 1st, 2023.
Previously, the UK Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) permitted young citizens aged 18-30 to travel to and stay in New Zealand for up to 23 months, and work for up to 12 months. The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) allowed young citizens of New Zealand aged 18-30 to live and work in the UK for up to two years. The reciprocal agreement between the UK and New Zealand Governments enabled these schemes.
However, after successful lobbying from CANZUK International, improvements to both schemes in the UK and New Zealand have been made, extending visa eligibility to more citizens.
The changes agreed upon by the UK and New Zealand Governments include an extension of five years to the age of eligibility for both schemes, an extension of the maximum period of stay from 2 years to three years, and an extension of the length of time individuals can work. These limitations will also be subject to further negotiations in the future.
CANZUK International welcomes this announcement from the UK and New Zealand governments, and will continue to work with senior elected officials in both countries to extend age and work limitations under both working visa schemes.
The UK will introduce its enhanced scheme from June 29th, 2023, while New Zealand’s will come into force from July 1st, 2023.
Previously, the UK Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) permitted young citizens aged 18-30 to travel to and stay in New Zealand for up to 23 months, and work for up to 12 months. The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) allowed young citizens of New Zealand aged 18-30 to live and work in the UK for up to two years. The reciprocal agreement between the UK and New Zealand Governments enabled these schemes.
However, after successful lobbying from CANZUK International, improvements to both schemes in the UK and New Zealand have been made, extending visa eligibility to more citizens.
The changes agreed upon by the UK and New Zealand Governments include an extension of five years to the age of eligibility for both schemes, an extension of the maximum period of stay from 2 years to three years, and an extension of the length of time individuals can work. These limitations will also be subject to further negotiations in the future.
CANZUK International welcomes this announcement from the UK and New Zealand governments, and will continue to work with senior elected officials in both countries to extend age and work limitations under both working visa schemes.
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