New Zealand to open working holiday visa applications for Pinoys on March 12

Is it your dream to travel and work in New Zealand? 

The country is set to open its working holiday visa applications for Filipinos on March 12, 5 a.m. (Philippine time). 

Every year, New Zealand limits its issuance of working holiday visas to 100. Successful applicants will be allowed to enter and re-enter the country as many times as they want within 12 months valid after their visa was granted (if already in New Zealand) or after the date they first visited the country. 

Eligible applicants, aged 18 to 30, will also be allowed to study or undergo training for a maximum of six months and temporarily work not more than three months under the same employer. 

If you want to experience living life in New Zealand, here are the requirements and qualifications to apply for a working holiday visa:

• Valid passport as proof of your identity and citizenship
• Chest x-ray and/or a medical examination as proof of good health
• A return flight ticket to the Philippines or enough funds to buy one.
• Enough funds of at least NZ $4,200 (P140,000) to live on while you’re in New Zealand (Note that you may be asked for bank statements, credit card statements, bank drafts, or travelers’ checks for proof)
• English language test results taken no more than two years
• A copy of full medical insurance or an approval letter from your insurance company

You will also be required to answer questions in line with your character and may be asked to provide police certificates as proof.

You would also have to prove your “genuine intentions” in meeting the requirements and conditions of the said visa, which will be judged based on all the information you'll provide.

A tertiary education of at least three years of full-time study is also required. 

If you have children, you won't be allowed to bring them with you in case you are granted a working holiday visa. If you have a partner who intends to go to New Zealand, they must apply for their own visa, too.

If your application is successful, you can expect to receive a confirmation via email. You can also check the status of your application by logging in to online services. According to the local government, processing time usually takes about eight weeks.

In case you’re in New Zealand and your current temporary visa expires before a new one is granted, the government will issue an interim visa to let you continue your stay legally.   

Note that applications can only be sent online. You can pay the Immigration fee (455 NZD or nearly P16,000) via credit or debit card by Visa, MasterCard, or UnionPay.