Working Holiday Visas
There were Working Holiday Visa holders offshore who were unable to enter New Zealand due to border restrictions.
As part of Step 2 of Reconnecting New Zealand, new Working Holiday Visas have been granted to about 19,500 people who:
· were granted a Working Holiday Visa on or after 20 March 2019, and
· are offshore and have been unable to enter New Zealand, and
· have not subsequently been granted a new visa under a different category.
Also, first entry dates for valid Working Holiday Visas have been extended for those who are offshore and have been unable to enter New Zealand.
Those who wish to travel to New Zealand on their newly granted or extended Working Holiday Visas can enter until 13 September 2022. Visas are valid for 12 months from the date of first entry.
Additionally, uncapped Working Holiday schemes open for applications from 14 March 2022.
Critical Workers
Also in Step 2, critical workers who earn at least 1.5 times the median wage (NZD $84,240 a year or NZD $40.50 an hour) for roles longer than 6 months may be eligible for an exception to the border restrictions.
These workers no longer need to demonstrate their skills are not readily obtainable in New Zealand. Their partners and dependent children may also request entry.