Anyone dreaming of having a working holiday in New Zealand? Every year New Zealand will open to 1,150 Malaysians for applying the Working Holiday Visa. If you also longing to experience this kind of travel experience, then you will need to know how does the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa works and the other details of the visa.
THE BASIC INFO
When is the registration date in 2019 and what is New Zealand Working Holiday Visa (WHV)?
It's a sweet deal for many travel lovers. The WHV allowed to work legally, study and travel in New Zealand for 6 months. You do not need to have a job offer first to be qualified for the visa, so you can start to find a job after you get the visa or register to study a short course or just for full travel fun. The most important part: the registration date for 2020 for New Zealand WHV is 23 January 2020 at 10:00 (NZ time)
How to know I am qualified to apply?
The criteria is simple - You just have to make sure that you have a valid passport (at least 9 months), in good health, no criminal records, age between 18 - 30, Malaysian citizen, own two way travel ticket to New Zealand or enough fund to buy the ticket, enough money to live in NZ (at least NZD $2,250) and not approved for New Zealand WHV before.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Is it easy to get the visa?
It is actually not that hard to get the visa but the competition is tough because everyone would like to get a chance to go for a working holiday. The visa application only open once a year and usually near to the end of January. You will be fighting with near to thousands of applicants to become the lucky 1,150 applicants but don't let it to crush your hope. Your dream to go for a working holiday once in your life is not that shallow and who decided you will lose the competition. Do not give up until the end and you may decide your dream journey.
How to apply the visa?
You can do it online at the New Zealand immigration website. You will need to register an account on the website in advance and login when you apply. You will need to declare your health and criminal records, however, you do not need to show any proof at this stage. They will contact you in later for the medical examination and etc. You just have to follow the instructions in their website, it is a piece of cake only. After you have success, the New Zealand immigration will contact and inform you within a week whether your application is approved or rejected. Just don't forget to check your email and junk mail as well!!!
REMINDER:
The application only open for one day for a couple of hours only. The application start at 10AM New Zealand Time / 5AM Malaysia Time. So do not overslept or think you can do it later because the 1,150 visas will be snatched up in the blink of an eye. 'Later' means waiting another year.
Any tips to ensure my application get approved?
Log in to NZ immigration website early and ensure your internet connection is strong. Be patient and prepare a valid Visa or Mastercard with to pay the registration cost of NZD$208 (about RM330). Your application is likely to get approved as long as you are in good health, no criminal record, the payment past through and a little of LUCK.
MY VISA APPROVED!
What do I need to prepare before I go to New Zealand?
This question usually will pop out because as anyone will be as shocked as I am when you suddenly been informed your application had been approved. You will need to prepare the following:
1. A passport that isn’t going to expire anytime soon
2. Print the visa approval letter that was emailed to you
3. Return flight ticket, or proof that you have enough money to purchase your return flight
4. Buy a bank statements showing that I have the required NZD$ 2,250 in case the immigration officer ask you for it
I'm not mentally and physically prepared to go, can I only go during the following year (2020)?
Yes, you are allowed because the WHV is valid for 12 months from the approval date. If your application is approved in February 2019, then you must travel to New Zealand by February 2020 or else the visa will be expired.
6 months is too short, can I extend the visa?
Yes! You allowed to extend another 3 months for your visa with the only criteria is that you must work for 3 months or more in agriculture, farms or orchards. You will be granted the permission for one extension. Application and info here.
Work
What kind of jobs can I get in New Zealand?
There are plenty of jobs catered for WHV holders, most of which are within hospitality and agriculture industry. The easiest jobs to get are farm work like fruit picking, restaurant work, housekeeping, factory and other labour works. I, personally will go for agriculture industry like farm work because I like to experience the different lifestyle other than living in a city.
How much can you earn?
The minimum wage of New Zealand is NZD$14.75 per hour. Occasionally, some employers may pay more but you shouldn't get any lesser than the standard wage. Some jobs, the employers will pay you minimum wage come with accommodation and/or food for a small fee. Of course, there are some employers don't offer wage but give free food, accommodation and/or a personal tour.
It appears fruit picking is one of the better-paying job in NZ but it will be quite exhausting.
How do I get a job?
You need to open a bank account and register with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). You will get your IRD tax number because you will be paying tax as well.
Where can I find a job and is it easy to find a job?
It's very easy. You are cheap labour and everyone love cheap labour!
You can go to these links to find job as well.
1. Seek
5. Pick NZ
Do I need to apply in advance before going to New Zealand or can I apply when I get there?
You can apply when you get there. Kuhato's advise: Don't bother applying from here as they usually will ask for your IRD number, bank account number, handphone number, face to face interview and etc.
What is the minimum period for working on a particular job?
It actually differs from job to job. Some employers will request you to stay for the whole Summer or Winter season and even helping you to extend your visa.
What if you can't find a job?
If you really can't find a job then you need to make sure you have enough money or saving for the trip so don't get starve. If not you may need to learn to eat grass like the cow in New Zealand, I joking. You won't be ate grass or sent home, just you can't earn any money. You may try to go to find some volunteering job as they will provide accommodation and food but no wage, at least, you can reduce your travel cost. You can find voluntering job on Backpacker Board.
Money
Am I able to save money in New Zealand while travel the country?
Yes, of course it is possible to save money. As long as you don't spend all your money on fancy restaurant and accommodation. It is really easy to live cheap in New Zealand in a good way with finding cheap accommodation and cook your own.
How much money should you bring?
It might take you a couple of weeks to find a job, so you bring enough money to withstand until you get your first salary (about 2 months). NZ immigration website recommends us to have a minimum of NZD$350 a month.
THE LAST IS TRAVEL!
Can I just travel without working?
Yes, you can. You have 6 months to enjoy whatever you want in there. This is your trip, your life, so just enjoy your holiday.
Is New Zealand suitable for working holiday?
Believe me, New Zealand is a very organised country that has made travelling very convenient with their transportation, tourist information sites and other facilities. New Zealand had been developed itself for WHV community in mind and everything you'd need are prepared for you.
While if anyone of you are wondering what can you go to experience in NZ, except for the working experience in NZ, you can experience travelling in NZ. There are tons of tourist destinations in New Zealand and you will opened your mind and eye after you went to these places. You will realized just how small you are in this world and how strong the natural environment with continuing evolved and adapted to the environment that humanity created. Those like to hike/camp/skiing should come to New Zealand to experience the enormous land.
So, don't let go such a good opportunity again and give yourselves at least a chance to fight for your working holiday while you still young. Open your wing and prepare to fly, young pigeon!
