Sep 20, 2022

Staff on a Working holiday visa? You’ll need a plan

WORKING HOLIDAY STAFF ON A VISA – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Additional Working Holiday Visa quotas have been announced, to attract more working holiday makers to New Zealand.

Do you currently employ staff on a Working Holiday visa?

It’s important to understand how long they can legally work for you on this particular visa and what you may need to do to retain them.

The New Zealand Government announced changes earlier this year to help increase access to Working holiday makers already in New Zealand, and those looking to travel to New Zealand.

This included extending visas for those already onshore with visas expiring between 26 August 2022 and 31 May 2023 by 6 months. Further, doubling the Working Holiday Scheme caps for those countries that have limits.

Looking to retain staff on a Working Holiday visa?

Those on a Working Holiday visa have limited work rights and are mostly permitted to work short-term only, which is why you need to be strategic about their employment with you when it comes to a longer term solution.

If you have any current Working Holiday staff that you are keen to keep working for your business, you need to have a plan in place and we can help. This may involve moving them to another option such as an Accredited Employer Work Visa for example.

Should you need any assistance with visas and immigration for your existing staff, or if you require help with accessing new talent, contact us.

Author

Hamneet Jaggi
Corporate Services Manager – Visas
IAA License #201500559

Latest news

Immigration policy updates – September 2023

As of 23 September 2023, this category is closed to new applicants. Anyone already on a Recovery Visa however, can apply for a three-month extension, allowing them time to transition to longer term work visas if necessary. Get in touch with our team if you need help with this transition – we can advise on the best visa type.

Video update – Median wage increases

The median wage increase that is set to hit in February has triggered alarm for Kiwi employers already dealing with constant changes and updates from government.

Update on Interim Visa conditions

Interim Visas are for current visa holders who have applied for their next required visa, but their current visa expires before the new one has been granted by Immigration New Zealand. The Interim Visa allows the visa holder to remain in New Zealand lawfully. Conditions and work rights of the Interim Visa depend on the original visa type held, and the type of visa they have applied for next.

Staff Wellbeing Meetings and Visa Eligibility Checks

Our team is happy to visit your team for a Wellbeing Meeting. We find employers really benefit from these sessions that keep everyone updated on the immigration settings and explore options to bring family members to New Zealand.

Navigating Immigration New Zealand’s latest announcements

Keeping up to date with INZ’s fast moving policy announcements is crucial for your business planning. Staying on top of these updates will help you understand the impact they may have on your people and help you make informed decisions to enhance your hiring strategies.

News Archive