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WI2.30 China Working Holiday Scheme (to 03/03/2022)

Note: The instructions in this section cease to be effective from 03/03/2022.

  1. This scheme is available to 1000 young citizens of the People's Republic of China annually.
  2. To be eligible for a work visa 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. show that they have a level of proficiency in English that is deemed to be at least functional, by providing acceptable English language test results, as set out at WI2.30.1 (no more than 2 years old at the time the application is lodged); and
    6. meet the requirements at WI2.1.1(b) and (d).

      Note: For the purposes of these instructions, the evidence required at WI2.30 (b)(iv) must be verified by the China Higher Education Student Information and Career Centre and such verification provided with the qualification

  3. Successful applicants will be granted a work visa which will allow first entry to New Zealand to be made within 12 months of the visa being granted, and the visa will allow work and multiple entries to New Zealand for 12 months from first arrival.
  4. Participants in this scheme must not work for the same employer for a period exceeding six months.
  5. Applicants under this scheme must lodge their application in the prescribed manner (E4.50).
  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.

WI2.30.1 Acceptable English language test results

The following English language test results are acceptable:

Test

Minimum score required

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - General or Academic Module

Overall score 5.5 or more

Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)

Overall score of 46 or more

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)

Overall score of 42 or more

B2 First (First Certificate in English) (formerly Cambridge English: First (FCE))

or

B2 First for Schools (First Certificate in English) (formerly Cambridge English: First (FCE) for Schools)

Overall score of 162 or more

Occupational English Test (OET)

Grade C or higher in all four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)*

* A score of Grade C or higher in all four skills is required for the OET as there is no overall grade for this test.

Effective 28/06/2018

PREVIOUS IMMIGRATION INSTRUCTIONS

WI2.30 China Working Holiday Scheme (09/10/2022)

WI2.30 China Working Holiday Scheme (19/05/2022)

WI2.30 China Working Holiday Scheme (21/05/2018)

WI2.30 China Working Holiday Scheme (21/11/2016)

WI2.30 China Working Holiday Scheme (08/12/2014)

WI2.30 China Working Holiday Scheme (18/04/2014)

WI2.30 China Working Holiday Scheme (08/04/2013)

WI2.30 China Working Holiday Scheme (26/03/2012)

WI2.30 China Working Holiday Scheme (29/11/2010)

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