On 26 July 2011 the Turkey Working Holiday Scheme will open for the first time. From then on, 100 places will be available annually under this scheme allowing young citizens from the Republic of Turkey to stay in New Zealand for up to 12 months.

Online application service available

Applications can be made online for this scheme. You will need a valid Visa or Mastercard credit card. This is the only way to pay for your online application.

 

However, before you think about applying, please read the following important information.

To be eligible

You must:

• have a passport from the Republic of Turkey that is valid for at least three months after your planned departure from New Zealand
• 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$7,000 available funds to meet your living costs while you’re here
• meet our health and character requirements
• hold medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance for the length of your stay
• have a tertiary qualification granted in respect of a minimum of four years' full-time study
• have a level of proficiency in English that is assessed as at least functional (see below)
• 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.

Note: Your proficiency in English is deemed to be at least functional if you can produce:

• a certificate from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), showing you have achieved an average level of 4.5 over the four components of the test; or
• (where your tertiary qualification was gained outside Turkey) evidence that the language of instruction for your tertiary qualification was English; or
• (where your tertiary qualification was gained in Turkey) evidence that the language of instruction for your tertiary qualification was English and was from one of the following institutions:
• Bilkent University, Ankara
• Cankaya University, Ankara
• Middle East Technical University (METU or ODTU), Ankara
• Bahcesehir University, Istanbul
• Bogazici University, Istanbul
• Istanbul Sehir University
• Istanbul Bilgi University
• Istanbul Arel University
• Koc University, Istanbul
• Ozyegin University, Istanbul
• Sabanci University, Istanbul
• Yeditepe University, Istanbul
• Izmir Ekonomi University
• Izmir Institute of Technology, (Izmir Yuksek Teknoloji Enstitusu or IYTE)
• Yasar University, Izmir

If you are already in New Zealand you also need to hold a valid temporary visa.

 

*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. 

 

Important note for online applicants: Our Working Holiday Schemes online system will tell you whether you need to send us a completed Medical and/or X-ray Certificate, and if so, how to do it, when you submit your online application. This is based on the maximum length of stay that you are allowed under your country's Working Holiday Scheme (not your intended stay), along with your responses to our health requirements questions.

When you are here

• you must not take up permanent employment (unless you apply for and are granted an ordinary work visa while you’re 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 three 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?

Applications under this Working Holiday Scheme can be made online by going to Working Holiday Schemes online. On this page you can register for and access the Working Holiday Scheme online application system.

 

Check our questions and answers for more information on the online application system.

 

If you want to apply manually, follow the steps to apply for a Working Holiday Scheme work visa.