WI4.140 China Working Holiday Scheme

Immigration Regulations 1999 regs 6A

1. This scheme allows up to 1000 young citizens of the People's Republic of China annually to be issued a work visa, valid for travel for 12 months from date of issue, and upon arrival in New Zealand to be granted a work permit for a maximum of 12 months.
2. Successful applicants will also be issued a multiple entry work visa, valid for the same period as the work permit, allowing re-entry to New Zealand on any number of occasions.
3. To be eligible for a work visa or permit under this scheme, applicants must:
   1. be citizens of China, ordinarily resident in the People's Republic of China and actually resident there at the time of applying, and
   2. have a minimum of NZ$4,200 available funds for their maintenance during the period of stay in New Zealand, and
   3. agree to hold medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance that will remain current throughout their stay in New Zealand, and
   4. have a senior high school qualification (gao zhong xue li) granted in respect of a minimum of three years' full-time study, and
   5. have a level of proficiency in English that is assessed as at least functional.

      Note: For the purposes of this policy:
      ~ the evidence required at WI4.140(c)(iv) must be verified by the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Centre (CDGDC) and such verification provided with the qualification
      ~ an applicant's proficiency in English is deemed to be at least functional if they can provide a certificate from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), showing they achieved an average level of 5.5 over the four components of the test.

4. Participants in this scheme must not work for the same employer for a period exceeding three months.
5. Applicants under this scheme must lodge their application in the prescribed manner (WI4.140.1) using the online application system.
6. Further documentation must be lodged by the applicant no later than 60 days from the date of advice from INZ. If documentation is not received by the deadline, the application may be determined on the basis of the information available.

WI4.140.1 Mandatory requirements for applications lodged under the China Working Holiday Scheme

Immigration Act 1987 ss 13(2), 25(1), 29(1), 30(1), 14D(1) Immigration Regulations 1999 regs 6A

1. Applications made under the China Working Holiday Scheme must be tendered online using the approved electronic form provided on the Immigration website of the Department of Labour (www.immigration.govt.nz).
2. A visa or immigration officer may consider an application where the applicant has supplied the following information in electronic form:
   1. their name, and
   2. their date of birth, and
   3. details of their passport or other travel document, including country of citizenship, and
   4. details of any current or previous visa or permit (if any) held by them, and
   5. details of the type of visa or permit applied for, and
   6. such information as is required by the electronic form to be tendered in order to determine whether the relevant visa or permit should be issued or granted.
3. The applicant must also complete their application by:
   1. acknowledging that the details provided in support of their application are true and correct to the best of their knowledge, and
   2. agreeing that if their circumstances change before a visa or permit is issued or granted they will notify a visa or immigration officer of that change in circumstances, and
   3. paying the prescribed fee (if any) for the type of visa or permit applied for, or arranging for the payment of that fee in a manner satisfactory to the visa or immigration officer.

WI4.140.5 Additional requirements for applications under the China Working Holiday Scheme

Immigration Act 1987 ss 13(2), 25(1), 29(1), 30(1), 14D(1) Immigration Regulations 1999 reg 6A

Before determining an application, the visa or immigration officer processing it may require the applicant to:

1. produce their valid passport or travel document; or
2. produce any evidence or information that the officer thinks necessary (including the physical production of documents); or
3. produce details and evidence of funds for maintenance while in New Zealand; or
4. produce any travel tickets or evidence of onward travel arrangements; or
5. appear for an interview.

Effective 01/10/2010