Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa
Purpose	Holiday, work, study or training
Stay	Up to 12 months
Cost	From NZD $770
Processing	80% within 2 weeks
Annual places	300 each year
Eligibility age	18 to 30 years
Citizenship	Singapore citizen with valid passport
Eligibility timing	Enter within 12 months of issue
Work rights	Temporary work; no permanent job
Study	Up to 6 months total
Medical insurance	Required for entire stay
Travel facility	Multiple entry before visa expiry
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Family must apply separately
Visa record	No previous New Zealand working holiday visa
Extension	Possible after qualifying seasonal work

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Purpose

This visa allows Singapore citizens aged 18 to 30 to holiday, work, study and train in New Zealand.

You do not need a job offer to apply.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be aged 18 to 30.
• Be a Singapore citizen with a valid Singapore passport.
• Hold a university qualification, or have completed 2 years' full-time university study.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Have genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand.
• Have at least NZD $2,250 for living expenses.
• Hold full medical insurance for your whole stay.
• Have plans and funds to leave New Zealand.
• Not have previously held a New Zealand working holiday visa, even if unused.

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

Stay and validity

You may stay for up to 12 months.

You must enter New Zealand within 12 months after the visa is issued. You cannot delay or cancel the visa. If you do not arrive within 12 months, it expires and you cannot apply for another New Zealand working holiday visa.

The visa starts:

• On entry to New Zealand, if approved while overseas; or
• On the date granted, if approved while in New Zealand.

Work, study and travel rights

Work

You may work in any lawful job if:

• You work under an employment contract or contract for services.
• You do not take a permanent job.
• You do not operate a business as an owner.
• You do not provide commercial sexual services.
• You do not invest in a commercial sexual-services business.

You must pay tax and need an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number.

Study

You may study or train for up to 6 months total. This can include an agreed exchange with a New Zealand university or polytechnic.

Travel

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

Family

A partner or child who wants to come to New Zealand must apply for their own visa.

Required evidence

You must provide passport details when applying. Immigration New Zealand may later request:

• University qualification or academic transcript.
• Medical examination or chest X-ray.
• Police certificates.
• Evidence of NZD $2,250 living funds.
• Medical-insurance certificate or insurer approval letter.
• Outward travel ticket, or funds to buy one.

Acceptable living-funds evidence includes bank statements, credit-card statements, bank drafts or traveller's cheques.

Funds for an onward ticket must be additional to the NZD $2,250 living funds.

Medical or chest X-ray evidence must be less than 3 months old when received. Police certificates must be less than 6 months old when submitted.

Application steps

1. Gather required documents and evidence.
2. Obtain certified English translations of required non-English police and medical certificates.
3. Apply online, in English, through the online application system.
4. Upload documents and pay the applicable fees.
5. Check application status online and respond to requests for further information.
6. If approved, receive an eVisa by email.

Enter identity details exactly as shown in your passport. Errors may delay processing, lead to refusal, or result in refusal of entry.

Arrival obligations

Everyone must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration:

• Air travellers: from 24 hours before travel begins.
• Sea travellers: from 24 hours before departure from the last overseas port.

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

Staying longer

You may be eligible for a further 3 months if you complete 3 months of seasonal work in the viticulture or horticulture industries.

Apply for a Working Holiday Extension Work Visa.