The PVT or Working Holiday Visa (WHV) in New Zealand promises a year-long adventure. Sculpted by volcanoes, this country offers breathtaking scenery. This visa, intended for young people under 30, encourages cultural exchanges while allowing you to work to finance your stay. With few restrictions on the type of work, New Zealand stands out for its ease of application, with no current quotas. An invitation to a unique experience in the heart of unspoilt nature.
PVT New Zealand, requirements
To obtain your PVT (Working Holiday Permit) for New Zealand, you need to meet a number of criteria.
To obtain your WHP in New Zealand, follow these key steps and conditions:
- Age: For French and Belgian nationals, you must be between 18 and 30 at the time of application.
- Passport: A valid passport (French or Belgian) is required for application and for at least 15 months after arrival in New Zealand.
- Savings requirement: You must have at least NZ$4,200 in your account. Proof of funds, such as a bank statement, may be requested on arrival.
- Accompanying person : The PVT is nominative, so you must not be accompanied by dependents.
- First WHP: You must not have already benefited from the New Zealand WHP.
- Compulsory PVT health insurance: It is compulsory to take out PVT health insurance prior to arrival, which can be requested at customs. It must cover at least medical care and hospitalization costs. Don’t hesitate to compare offers on our Santexpat.fr comparator.
By following this list of criteria, you’ll maximize your chances of obtaining your PVT and making the most of your stay in New Zealand.
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Apply for a New Zealand WHP in just three steps
Step 1: Apply online
It’s quick and easy! Log on to immigration.govt.nz to create your account. You will then need to carefully complete the online questionnaire and validate your application.
Step 2: Supporting documents
If additional documents are required, you will be notified by email. Be sure to check your spam folder regularly, in case the email gets there by mistake.
Step 3: Wait for the answer…
Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive an e-mail inviting you to consult the results on the New Zealand Immigration website. Log in with your login and password to view and print your visa details. Keep this document with your passport for the duration of your WHP in New Zealand.
Allow between 30 minutes and an hour to complete your PVT visa application. The cost of the New Zealand PVT requires a fee of NZ$455, including $420 for the visa and an IVL tax of $35.
When should I apply for a New Zealand PVT visa?
You have the flexibility to apply for your New Zealand Working Holiday Visa at your convenience, but it’s advisable not to apply too early or too late. Applying too early runs the risk of changing your plans and ending up not going, because once you’ve obtained your visa, you have 12 months to validate it by visiting the country. If you don’t respect this deadline, you’ll lose your Working Holiday Visa and won’t be able to apply for another one for New Zealand.
On the other hand, we don’t recommend applying too late. Although Working Holiday Visa applications are often processed quickly, playing with fire by applying for the visa only a few days before your departure can be risky. For a safer approach, consider applying around 4 months before your departure. This gives you a reasonable amount of leeway, reducing the risk of project changes and leaving you enough time to resolve any problems during the visa application process.
Renewing your WHP in New Zealand
You can extend your WHP in New Zealand for a further 3 months. If you meet these criteria, you are eligible for the Working Holidaymaker Extension Visa. But please note that you can’t apply online. You’ll need to send your application, along with the following documents, to a New Zealand Immigration office:
1. Completed and signed application form: SSE Work Visa Application NZ (form 1153).
2. Proof of employment in horticulture and viticulture.
3. Confirmation of purchase of a return ticket (or proof of sufficient funds for its purchase).
4. Payment of required fees.
Studying and working during your WHP in New Zealand
Studying and working during your WHP in New Zealand offers an exceptional opportunity to enrich your experience on every level. With a WHP, you are allowed to study in New Zealand for up to 6 months. This flexibility allows you to combine your academic adventures with active exploration of the country.
What’s more, French and Belgian nationals benefit from an advantageous feature of the New Zealand WHP. There is no maximum period of employment with the same employer (unlike some other nationalities). This means you can work in the same position for up to 12 months during your WHP. This unique combination of study and work creates an unforgettable experience, where every day is an opportunity for personal growth and cultural discovery. Whether you’re at university, in an office or on location, your WHP in New Zealand promises total immersion in a world of learning and adventure.
Explore New Zealand’s job opportunities for PVTists and
The job opportunities available to you with your New Zealand WHP are diverse. You can apply for seasonal, full-time or part-time jobs, offering flexibility. Specific terms you’ll come across in advertisements include:
- Full-time job: A full-time job, generally defined by a 40-hour working week in the Kiwis (goodbye 35 hours…).
- Part-time job: A part-time job, ideal if you want to work and still have time to enjoy the country. Some people also opt for a combination of these jobs, but this requires rigorous organization and relatively fixed hours.
- Temporary or Contract job: Jobs linked to temporary assignments, equivalent to our temping jobs. This type of contract is common for seasonal jobs, jobs offered by temporary employment agencies or fruit harvesting work.
- Casual job: Jobs where you are contacted on an as-needed basis. Although the name may suggest a “casual” or “laid-back” nature, some establishments employ only casual contracts. In this case, you may be required to work long hours and perform many services, despite the sometimes intense nature of these positions.
These various options offer a wide range ofprofessional opportunities to suit your preferences and lifestyle during your stay in New Zealand.
Minimum wage in New Zealand
From April 1, 2023, New Zealand’s minimum gross wage will be $22.70 per hour. In concrete terms, this means a minimum gross weekly wage of $908 (around €520) for a full-time week (40 hours). Salaries are generally paid every 1-2 weeks in New Zealand.
Even in the case of remuneration based on productivity, as is often the case in sectors such as fruit picking, your equivalent salary cannot be less than the minimum wage. Compliance with this standard is crucial, as any deviation exposes your employer to legal implications. Stay informed and make sure your remuneration is in line with current regulations for a healthy and legal work experience in New Zealand.
