Work Exchange Scheme Work Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Work Exchange Scheme Work Visa
Purpose	Approved work exchange participation
Stay	Up to 12 months
Cost	From NZD $1,455
Processing	80% within 3 weeks
Annual availability	1,000 visas each year
Eligibility timing	Not stated in the source
Work rights	Scheme-arranged work only
Study	Up to 3 months
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Insurance	Medical and dental cover required
Travel facility	Multiple travel until visa expiry
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Partner and children apply separately
Visa record	Conditions recorded in eVisa
Accommodation	Scheme-organiser accommodation required

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Purpose

This visa allows you to work in New Zealand as part of an approved work exchange scheme.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be accepted into an approved work exchange scheme.
• Stay in accommodation provided by the scheme organiser.
• Have genuine intentions to meet visa conditions.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Have medical and dental insurance for the full exchange.
• Have arrangements to leave New Zealand when your stay ends.
• Meet all other visa requirements.

You cannot include a partner or dependent children in your application. They may apply for visas based on their relationship to you if the work exchange scheme allows them to accompany you.

Stay, Work and Study Rights

You can:

• Stay for up to 12 months, unless the scheme has a special arrangement with Immigration New Zealand.
• Work only in work arranged by the approved scheme.
• Study for up to 3 months.
• Travel in and out of New Zealand as often as you like before the visa expires.

You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.

Cost and Processing

• Cost: From NZD $1,455.
• Processing: 80% processed within 3 weeks.
• Availability: 1,000 visas available each year.

Application process and final costs depend on your passport nationality.

Required Evidence

Identity

Provide:

• Two acceptable head-and-shoulders photographs.
• Your passport or certificate of identity.

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand. You may submit an original passport or certified copy; Immigration New Zealand may later request the original.

Scheme Acceptance

Provide evidence of acceptance into an approved work exchange scheme, such as a letter from the scheme organiser.

Insurance

Provide evidence of medical and dental insurance covering the full exchange, such as:

• An insurance certificate, or
• An approval letter from the insurer.

Immigration New Zealand may ask to see this evidence on arrival.

Onward Travel

Provide evidence that you will leave New Zealand, such as:

• A ticket out of New Zealand, or
• A guarantee from the scheme’s New Zealand guarantor that you will have an onward ticket, even if you do not complete the exchange.

Health

You must be in good health. Immigration New Zealand may require a chest X-ray, medical examination, or both.

Normally:

• A chest X-ray is not needed for stays under 6 months.
• A medical certificate is not needed for stays under 12 months.

Applicants from China, Hong Kong or Macao 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
• Will stay in New Zealand for more than 6 months.

Character

You must be of good character. A visa may not be granted if you have criminal convictions or present a security risk.

Provide police certificates if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or more across all visits, or if requested. Police certificates are not required for applicants aged 16 or younger.

Police certificates must:

• Be less than 6 months old when submitted.
• Cover countries where you are a citizen or have lived more than 5 years since turning 17.

Previously submitted police certificates do not need to be resubmitted if they are less than 24 months old.

Additional Identity Documents

Chinese citizens applying from China must also provide:

• Hukou household registration book.
• Chinese identity card.

Paper applicants in China must also complete Supplementary Form INZ 1027.

Applicants in Hong Kong or Macao must provide a copy of their identity card. Paper applicants must also provide Supplementary Form INZ 1220.

Application Steps

1. Confirm acceptance into an approved work exchange scheme.
2. Gather identity, insurance, onward-travel, health and character evidence.
3. Enter your passport nationality details to view the applicable application process and cost.
4. Pay and submit your application using the process shown for your nationality.
5. Keep evidence of insurance and onward travel available for arrival.

Arrival Requirements

All travellers must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

• Air travellers: Submit from 24 hours before the journey begins.
• Sea travellers: Submit from 24 hours before the ship leaves its last overseas port for New Zealand.

New Zealand Customs and Biosecurity requirements also apply.

Important Warnings

You may be refused entry permission if you:

• No longer meet character requirements.
• Have had a change in circumstances since the visa was issued.
• Refuse to provide a photo, fingerprints or iris scan.

While in New Zealand, you must maintain medical and dental insurance for the full work exchange and comply with all conditions recorded in your eVisa.