China Working Holiday Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	China Working Holiday Visa
Status	Closed
Stay	Up to 12 months
Cost	From NZD $770
Processing	80% within 2 weeks
Annual places	1,000 each year
Age	18 to 30 years
Citizenship	People’s Republic of China
Location to apply	Living in China
Eligibility timing	Enter within 12 months
Work rights	Temporary work; no permanent job
Employer limit	Six months per employer
Study	Up to 6 months
Medical insurance	Required for entire stay
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple travel until expiry
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Family members need own visas
Visa record	Conditions recorded in eVisa
Job offer	Not required

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Purpose

This visa is for eligible Chinese citizens who want to holiday, work and study in New Zealand.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be aged 18 to 30.
• Be a citizen of the People’s Republic of China with a valid passport.
• Normally live in China and be living there when applying.
• Not have previously held a New Zealand working holiday visa.
• Have a senior high school qualification involving at least 3 years’ full-time study.
• Have the qualification verified by the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD), Ministry of Education.
• Speak and understand English.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Have genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand.
• Have at least NZD $4,200 for living costs.
• Hold full medical insurance for the whole stay.
• Have onward travel arrangements, or enough money to buy a ticket.

To normally live in China, you must not have been outside China for more than 2 years immediately before applying.

Stay and arrival

You can stay for up to 12 months.

You must enter New Zealand within 12 months of visa issue. If you do not arrive within that period, the visa expires and you cannot apply for another working holiday visa.

Your visa starts:

• On entry to New Zealand, if approved while outside New Zealand; or
• On the visa grant date, if approved while in New Zealand.

You must leave before your visa expires.

Work rights and conditions

You do not need a job offer.

You may work for up to 12 months, including temporary jobs, provided that:

• You do not take a permanent job.
• You work for any one employer for no more than 6 months.
• You work under an employment contract or contract for services.
• Your work is legal.
• You do not operate a business as an owner.
• You do not provide, or invest in a business providing, commercial sexual services.

You must obtain an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number to pay tax on New Zealand earnings.

Study

You may study or train for up to 6 months in total.

Travel

You may travel in and out of New Zealand as many times as you like before the visa expires.

Family

A partner or child cannot be included under this visa. They must apply for their own visa.

Staying longer

You may be eligible for a further 3 months through a Working Holiday Extension Work Visa if you complete 3 months of seasonal work in the viticulture or horticulture industries.

Required documents

When applying

Provide:

• Passport details.
• Completed Supplementary Form for Chinese Citizens (INZ 1027).
• INZ 1027 supplementary form

You may also provide a Hukou household registration book as additional identity evidence.

Evidence that may be requested

Immigration New Zealand may request:

• Proof you normally live in China and currently live there, such as utility bills, home-address letters or recent payslips.
• Verified senior high school qualification and CSSD verification report.
• English translations of the qualification and verification report.
• An acceptable English-language test result less than 2 years old.
• Bank statements, credit card statements, bank drafts or traveller’s cheques showing NZD $4,200.
• Medical insurance certificate or insurer approval letter, including hospital cover.
• Onward ticket, or funds to buy one in addition to living-cost funds.
• Chest X-ray or medical examination.
• Police certificates.

Your passport must remain valid for at least 3 months after visa expiry.

Police certificates must be less than 6 months old when submitted. Required medical examination or chest X-ray results must be less than 3 months old when received.

Health and character

You must answer health and character questions in your application. Immigration New Zealand may request medical evidence, a chest X-ray or police certificates.

Applicants from China applying in China, Hong Kong or Macao must provide a chest X-ray completed within the last 3 months if they:

• Have spent 6 consecutive months in China since their last X-ray certificate; and
• Are coming to New Zealand for more than 6 months.

A criminal conviction or security risk may result in visa refusal.

How to apply

1. Gather your passport, INZ 1027 form and supporting evidence.
2. Obtain certified English translations of required police or medical certificates.
3. Apply online in English.
4. Upload documents and pay the applicable fee.
5. Check your online account for updates.
6. Immigration New Zealand will email its decision.

If approved, you will receive an eVisa.

Entry requirements and warnings

Before travel, complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration:

• Air travellers: from 24 hours before the journey begins.
• Sea travellers: from 24 hours before the ship leaves its final overseas port.

You may be refused entry permission if you are not a genuine visitor, no longer meet character requirements, have changed circumstances, refuse biometric collection, or cannot show onward travel or sufficient departure funds.

Your visa conditions are recorded in your eVisa.