Each year, 600 places are available under this scheme allowing young people from Taiwan to stay in New Zealand for up to 12 months.

2011/12 Quota

The 2011/12 quota is full. Six hundred places became available at 10:00 am (New Zealand time) on 1 June 2011, and were filled within one hour.

Online application service

Applications under this scheme must be made using the online application system. Manual or paper-based applications which are received by the New Zealand Commerce & Industry Office in Taipei or by any INZ office will be returned to the applicant.

To be eligible

You must:

• have a passport from Taiwan that is valid for at least three months after your planned departure from New Zealand
• have household registration under the laws of Taiwan
• be at least 18 and not more than 30 years old
• not bring children with you
• hold a return ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket*
• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds to meet your living costs while you are here
• meet our health and character requirements
• hold medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance for the length of your stay
• be coming to New Zealand to holiday, with work or study being secondary intentions for your visit
• not have been approved a visa under a working holiday scheme before.

*You are required to hold sufficient funds for the duration of your visit and for the purchase of an outward ticket from New Zealand. Such evidence may be requested on arrival at the border.

Health requirements

You will need to meet our health requirements for temporary entry to New Zealand.    

Character requirements

You will need to meet our character requirements for temporary entry to New Zealand. 

When you are here

• you must not take up permanent employment (unless you apply for and are granted an ordinary work visa while you are here)
• you must not work for the same employer for more than three months
• you can enrol in one or more courses of training or study of up to six months’ duration in total during your visit.

Please note: New Zealand law prohibits any person on a temporary visa including a working holiday scheme work visa, from providing commercial sexual services, or operating or investing in a business which provides such services.

Tax

Like all New Zealand workers, you will need an IRD number so that your employer can deduct tax from your earnings at the correct rate. In New Zealand, you pay tax on a pay as you earn (PAYE) basis. This means that there should not be a large refund or an amount to pay when you leave. For more information see Inland Revenue's Travelling to New Zealand webpage [external link].

How do I apply?

Take me to Working Holiday Schemes online. This link will take you to our Online Services login page. On this page you can register for online services or if you have already registered you can log in and access the Working Holiday Scheme online application system. Check our questions and answers for more information on the online application system.

Applications under this scheme must be made using the online application system. Manual or paper-based applications which are received by the New Zealand Commerce & Industry Office in Taipei or by any INZ office will be returned to the applicant.  

2011/12 Quota

The 2011/12 quota is full. Six hundred places became available at 10:00 am (New Zealand time) on 1 June 2011, and were filled within one hour.