Are you a young citizen from the UK or New Zealand looking to travel, work, and explore the other side of the world? We have some exciting news for you!
In July 2022, the governments of UK and New Zealand announced significant upgrades to the Working Holiday/Youth Mobility Scheme, which will take effect from July 2023.
The scheme currently allows young citizens of both the UK and New Zealand aged between 18-30 to live and work in the other country for up to 2 years.
These enhancements will allow more UK and New Zealand citizens to embark on the exciting journey, extending the age of eligibility and the duration of their stay in each other’s countries.
In this blog post, we will delve into the details of what these exciting changes entail and explore the opportunities they offer.
What the Working Holiday Scheme currently offers
Currently, the UK Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) enables young citizens of the UK, aged between 18 and 30, to travel to New Zealand and stay for up to 23 months while working for up to 12 months.
On the other hand, the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) permits young citizens of New Zealand who are aged between 18 and 30, to live and work in the UK for a maximum of 2 years.
These schemes operate through an agreement that was struck between the UK and New Zealand Governments.
The upgrades to the Working Holiday Scheme
Thanks to the efforts of the UK and New Zealand Government, there have been several noteworthy enhancements to the existing scheme.
So, let’s take a closer look at what changes are coming:
Age extension
The age of eligibility for both schemes will be increased from 30 to 35 years.
This extension of 5 years offers more opportunities for citizens applying for both the UK Youth Mobility Visa and New Zealand to gain invaluable life experience that they may have missed out on!
Extended duration of your stay
Included in the updates is an extension to the maximum period of time an individual can stay in New Zealand or the UK – from 2 years (or 23 months in New Zealand) to 3 years!
This gives you more time and opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture, build lasting friendships, and fully embrace the adventure of living abroad.
More work opportunities
One of the most significant changes is the extension in the length of time that individuals can work abroad.
Participants of the scheme will now be able to work for the entire duration of their 3-year stay, giving you ample opportunity to gain some professional experience abroad.
Increase in the annual cap
New Zealand will bring in an annual cap for the UK Working Holiday Scheme, set at 15,000 visas per year.
This is a higher number than the usual volume of UK WHS visas that are granted, allowing for increased interest and growth in the scheme..
Benefits and Opportunities the scheme offers
The upgrades to both the Working Holiday and Youth Mobility Scheme present many new potential benefits and opportunities for both Kiwis and Brits alike!
The aims are to promote and facilitate access to opportunities in work and social settings, in turn allowing young people to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures, societies, and work environments.
Exploring the world, working abroad, and developing new skills not only broaden horizons but also improve future employment opportunities – what’s not to like!?
Read Also:
Top Things To Do And Places To Visit In New Zealand During Your Working Holiday
What will these changes mean for me?
The upcoming enhancements to the Working Holiday/Youth Mobility Scheme between the UK and New Zealand are undoubtedly a great development for young adventurers looking to expand their horizons.
From the age extension and increased duration of stay, to expansion of work opportunities and higher annual cap, the updates will help shape incredible experiences and memories for participants!
Ready to embark on a life-changing adventure and explore the wonders that await you on the other side of the world? The updates that come into effect in July 2023 are perfect for you!
What will Visa First do for me?
Visa First can help you with your New Zealand visa application before your next trip!
If you are from the UK and wish to travel to and live in New Zealand, you’ll need a New Zealand working holiday visa.
Luckily, you can apply for New Zealand working holiday visa with us in minutes!
We take all the hassle out of your visa application process, meaning there will be no long in-person queues or embassy visits, and you’ll receive the results of your application in no-time!
Why apply for a visa with Visa First?
Here are some simple reasons why customers choose Visa First to take care of their visa applications:
96% rate of customer satisfaction
20 years experience securing visas across the world
Online process – no waiting around embassies!
We’ll guide you all the way to getting your NZ working holiday visa- start to finish!
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