Special Country requirements for working holiday visas

The special requirements you may need to meet to qualify for a visa under a New Zealand Working Holiday Scheme depend on the agreement we have with the government of the Working Holiday Scheme country.

Look to see if your country is listed below and the corresponding special requirements you need to be able to meet

Note
  • If there are no special requirements for your country you must answer the question “yes” you are able to meet the special requirements for your country.  
  • You may be asked to produce evidence that you meet the special requirements before or on your arrival in New Zealand.

China requirements

All applicants must be Chinese citizens who:

  • normally reside in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and
  • are actually resident in PRC at the time of application, and
  • have a senior high school qualification (gao zhong xue li) granted in respect of a minimum of three years' full-time study, and
  • have a level of proficiency in English that is assessed as at least functional.

To show that your level of proficiency in English is at least functional you must produce a certificate from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), showing you achieved an average level of 5.5 over the four components of the test.

Note

The IELTS certificate must be no more than two years old at the time the application is lodged.

You must also provide verification from the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Centre (CDGDC) of your high school certificate. 

Hong Kong requirements

All applicants must hold a British National Overseas or a HKSAR passport.

Peru requirements

All applicants must provide evidence that you have either:

  • a  minimum of NZ$4,200 available for your maintenance and a certificate from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) showing you achieved level 5 or over in speaking and one other of the four skills areas; or
  • a minimum of NZ$7,000 available for your maintenance during the period of stay in New Zealand.

And:

  • you must also provide evidence that you have completed a minimum of three years' full-time study towards a tertiary qualification.
  • your study must be verified by the Peru Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  
Note

The IELTS certificate must be no more than two years old at the time the application is lodged.

Philippines requirements

All applicants must have:

  • a tertiary qualification granted in respect of a minimum of three years’ full-time university study, and
  • have a level of proficiency in English that is assessed as at least functional.

Evidence

To show that your level of proficiency in English is at least functional you must:

  • provide evidence that your tertiary qualification was gained from an institution where all tuition was in English; or
  • produce a certificate from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), showing you achieved an average level of 4.5 over the four components of the test. The IELTS certificate must be no more than two years old at the time the application is lodged.

Singapore requirements

All applicants must either hold a university qualification or have successfully completed the equivalent of at least two years of full-time university study.

Taiwan requirements

All applicants must hold a Taiwan passport and have household registration under the laws of Taiwan.

Thailand requirements

All applicants must have:

  • a letter of support from the Thailand Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups (note: you may be required to attend an interview to obtain this letter), and
  • a tertiary qualification granted in respect of a minimum of three years' full time study, and
  • a level of proficiency in English that is assessed as at least functional.

To show that your level of proficiency in English is at least functional you must:

  • produce a certificate from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), showing you achieved an average level of 4.5 over the four components of the test; or
  • produce evidence of having completed all primary and at least three years' secondary education where all instruction was in English; or
  • produce evidence of having completed at least five years' secondary education where all instruction was in English; or
  • produce evidence of having gained a post-secondary qualification that required at least two years' fulltime study or training where all tuition was in English; or
  • be assessed by way of an interview with an INZ immigration officer who speaks fluent English.
Note

The IELTS certificate must be no more than two years old at the time the application is lodged.

Turkey requirements

All applicants must have:

  • a tertiary qualification granted in respect of a minimum of four years' full time study, and
  • a level of proficiency in English that is assessed as at least functional.

To show that your level of proficiency in English is at least functional you must:

  • produce a certificate from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), showing you 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
Note

The IELTS certificate must be no more than two years old at the time the application is lodged.

United Kingdom requirements

All applicants must be British citizens who normally reside in the United Kingdom (UK). This requirement is considered to be met if the applicant has not been absent from the UK for more than two years immediately preceding the application.

United States requirements

All applicants must be United States citizens who normally reside in the United States of America (USA). This requirement is considered to be met if the applicant has not been absent from the USA for more than two years immediately preceding the application.

Vietnam requirements

All applicants must have:

  • a tertiary qualification granted in respect of a minimum of three years’ full-time university study, and
  • a level of proficiency in English that is assessed as at least functional.

To show that your level of proficiency in English is at least functional you must produce a certificate from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), showing you achieved an average level of 4.5 over the four components of the test.

Note

The IELTS certificate must be no more than two years old at the time the application is lodged.

All other countries

No special requirements apply – please answer “yes” you are able to meet the special requirements for your country.