VisaFirst Blog

One of our visitors had an interesting query about New Zealand Working Holiday visas.  In short the person is interested whether there is a way for him to travel on the Working Holidaymaker Scheme despite the fact he is 34 years old. He is not eligible for this specific visa, however he has several options. Please, read down to find out what they are.

• Veronica: Welcome to the Visa First live chat! How can I help you today?
• Jeremy: I will be traveling to New Zealand for holiday next month and wanted to know if there is a way to qualify for the Working Holiday visa if I am over 30.
• Veronica: We can help you get a visa through sponsorship or applying for residency.
• Veronica: Unfortunately you cannot qualify for the Working Holiday visa if you are over 30.
• Jeremy: I don’t really want to apply for residency, I only plan on being there for 6 to 9 months. What would I need to qualify for sponsorship?
• Veronica: What occupation do you hold?
• Jeremy: I have been in restaurant and retail management for the past 10 years.
• Veronica: OK, would you by any chance be able to find an employer in New Zealand willing to sponsor you?
• Jeremy: Probably, but not until I arrive there. Would I need to have a sponsor before arriving in New Zealand?
• Veronica: Unfortunately you will need to find one before arriving in New Zealand
• Jeremy: Would the position have to begin right after arriving in NZ? I was hoping to be able travel around the country the first 6 weeks or so.
• Jeremy: Also, would it have to be with a company in my industry or can it be with any company?
• Veronica: You can travel beforehand as long as it is under the period that is allowed under your tourist visa for New Zealand.
• Jeremy: My tourist visa is for three months, so as long as I find a sponsor within that time frame, I should be able to qualify?
• Jeremy: How long would the process take from the time I found a sponsor to the time I would be eligible to begin work for them?
• Jeremy: Or are you saying I have to have the sponsor before arriving in NZ, but I don’t have to begin working right away. My start date would have to begin before my 3 months was up.
• Veronica: That’s correct, you don’t have to work straight away, but it would be best to organise the sponsorship before you get there
• Jeremy: Given I only have 2 1/2 weeks to find sponsorship ahead of time. If I do find sponsorship, would that be the only employer I would be able to work for or could the sponsorship be transferred if I found something else while in NZ. Also, does that start date have to be specified on the sponsorship application or can it be a time frame?
• Jeremy: You are being very helpful, by the way, and I appreciate it.
• Veronica: You must stay with your sponsor throughout the whole period it is valid for.
• Veronica: Declan Clune is our sponsorship/migration visa specialist. Can you please phone him on his UK number 0044 207 659 9186, the Irish phone number 00 353 56 777 0227 or the Australian phone number 1300 655 094 or alternatively email him at dclune@visafirst.com with some brief details of your query and he will get in contact with you to answer your questions
• Jeremy: Very good, thank you for your time and have a wonderful day.
• Veronica: You’re welcome!
• Veronica: You too!

Sometimes its harder to put your plans into action, however most of the time there is a way. Professional advice can prove invaluable when given at the right time. If you have any queries please e-mail us at ask@visafirst.co.uk.