[TJH]

I have search the NZIS website all night and have found nothing to answer my questions in regards to the Working Holiday Scheme. So I thought I would present them to you all as there seems to be a few people who have successfully gone that route.

First, how long after you apply does your 12 month clock start - is it when you are accepted or when you step foot in NZ? If it is the latter, how long from after you are accepted do you have until you have to be in NZ? I am from the US and there is another WHS opening up 1 May. However, I don't plan on moving until early next year. I was trying to see if it would be possible to apply for this next one and hold onto it until my time was right to move.

Next, the whole "you cannot start permanent employment" clause of the WHS has me a bt confused. Like some people on here I am considering this as an avenue to get my EOI points up (currently rate 95). Lets say I go to NZ on the WHS visa and get a job which I intend to stay at for over my 12 months. Can't I just turn around and submit my EOI for 145 pts with my new "current skilled employment in NZ = 50pts" addition to my EOI, gain PR, and stay at my job? I am just trying to figure out how the NZIS will look at my "permanent" employment obtained while on working holiday when it comes time to apply for PR.

Also, I am wondering how NZ employers look at the WHS permit. For instance, a lot of NZ government jobs have the statement that "to work for the NZ Government, you need to be a permanent resident of New Zealand, or have a current work permit." A lot of private employers have the same statement on their vacencies. Does the WHS permit fit this requirement?

If I were to be accepted in the WHS, is my wife allowed to come with me on that same permit or does she need to apply and get a WHS permit also?

The final one has to deal with shipping stuff from the US to NZ. Is one allowed to ship a container from their home country with a WHS permit the same way that someone would that has a regular work visa or PR?

Thanks for any help you all may be able to provide me with. I frequent this board daily and have learned a tremendous amount, even though I don't post very often. On the days when we think that this dream is not going to work out for us, we often find our inspiration on this forum from the stories you all tell of how you perservered and made your dreams come true. :)

[ruthyroo]

Hi there

My understanding of the Working Holiday Visa might be a bit out of date, and someone else might be able to give you more info but here goes.

The WHV is intended to be used by young people and students who want to travel / backpack through NZ and work casually as they go. Strictly speaking, you can't work for the same employer for more than 3 months (?) - because the idea is that you will pick up casual work - bar work, retail, fruit picking etc - to pay for your travels as you move around, not look for a permanent job. Having said that, there are employers who will overlook the three month limit if it suits them - I don't think NZIS go around checking up on WHV's and how long you've been in one job especially if it is casual work.

If you get a WHV and come to NZ and are offered a permanent job, then I guess there is nothing to stop you applying for PR at that stage. What you couldn't legally do (and neither could your employer) was accept and take up a permanent job while you are still technically in NZ on the WHV. Clear as mud? Basically, as long as you are in NZ on a certain visa you would be expected to abide by the conditions of that visa - but once you apply for and are granted PR that would supercede the WHV. It's a bit of a grey area, and is similar to people arriving here on a Visitor Permit then finding a job and applying for PR while here. Strictly speaking, not legal, but hey it works and NZIS don't seem to have a huge problem with it.

As to how employers view the WHV - it varies I guess. I don't think many employers (especially Government ones) would offer you a permanent job on the basis of you having a WHV - but if you can convince them that you will get PR easily and quickly they might go for it. For that reason it is very important that you bring all the correct paperwork with you to apply for PR - all your qualifications, transcripts, work history, NZQA assessment if necessary, police certs / medicals (but watch the dates) etc etc.

I think your wife would have to apply seperately for the WHV, but if you later apply for PR she can be included on that application.

No idea about the shipping - someone here will know.

The advantage of the WHV over the Visitor Visa is that you can work while trying to secure a job, even if it is just casually. I don't think NZIS are too bothered about the route you take to getting a job offer (as long as you aren't working illegally) as long as your application is all in order when you do apply.

HTH and good luck

[Singel]

One of my hubby's colleague was offered a permanent contract before he moved to NZ.
He arrived here on Working Holiday Visa (thinking that it is cheaper and he could save the monies), however NZIS told him that he is not allow to have employment that exceed 12 months. Therefore, his WHV is invalid and he has to apply for work permit before he start work.

[TJH]

Does anyone have any info on how long after you are accepted for the WHS that you have to activate it by entering the country? Is there a deadline like with PR of 12 months after acceptance that you have to enter?

[jewelsvani]

I have asked this question else where and I have been told 12 months before you have to enter the country before the visa becomes invalid, but I have emailed NZ immigration asking them this question will let you know the outcome.

If you get the WHV and get offered a permenant job I can't see why you couldn't apply for a work permit to stay in the job for longer than 3 months and during this time apply for PR.

As a matter of fact one example question on the nz immigration site asked the question, that I have been offered a permenant position but I cant take the position because I need a work permit, but they cant give me a permenant job offer becasue I don't have a permit. Immigration replied that they could still offer him the job and he applies for the work permit and can take the job,and then go for PR he was only there on a normal holiday visa.

[veronica]

there is some confusion with the WHV as it has different conditions depending on where you come from. I understand that from the US it is only 3 months with any one employer. you can apply for this from 18 up until the day before your 31st birthday, and it must be activated within a year (so technically you can get to NZ the day before you turn 32).
From England and some European countries you can now get a two year WHV but are only allowed to work for 12 months of the 2 years, but if you choose you can work for 12 months with one employer.

[Jonathon1977]

A minor correction to the last post...

I had to deal with this question and my employer double checked. Since I am working for a Government agency it was very important to them to be sure of the rules behind the WHV. While I could have applied for standard WP the WHV is much faster and far cheaper, plus you get a year in NZ to find a job and complete your paperwork.

If you are from the US you can take any work that is not PERMANENT but there is not a clause that permits working for the same employer for three months or working more than three months in general.

You can compare the US program to that of Thailand to see the how the statements and conditions differ.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workingholiday/

I still did not trust my interpretation 100%, nor did my employer, so my employer made a management inquiry of the Immigration Department. The out come was my employer drafted me a job offer that stated my work was not of a PERMANENT nature and that the offer of employment past my expiry was contingent on a successful PR application. The good news is that when I applied for PR I was able to check the box that said I have been in working Skilled Employment in NZ for less than 12 months. (50 Points)

Just a bit of info that might help.


:cheers

[TJH]

Jonathon1977 you have a PM. Although you can ignore most of it now.