UK visa rules to be eased for young New Zealanders

The UK government has announced that more opportunities will be made available for younger people travelling between Britain and New Zealand to live and work. UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and his Kiwi counterpart, Jacinda Ardern, signed an agreement to extend the Youth Mobility and Working Holiday Visa schemes. 

It’s understood that the minimum age limit for applicants will be raised form 30 to 35, and the maximum duration that people can remain in the host country will be increased from various durations to three years. 

The Youth Mobility and Working Holiday Visa schemes in each country are designed to give people a better understanding of each nation’s culture and society through travel, work and life experience overseas. UK Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said: “Travelling, living and working overseas can be a wonderfully enriching experience. 

Life-changing journey

“The UK loves to welcome Kiwis on their travels here, while thousands of Brits have made the similarly life-changing journey to the Southern Hemisphere. The improvements to our visa schemes will give even more young Brits and New Zealanders the opportunity to develop their skills, make life-long connections and contribute to their host country,” Patel added.

Ms Arden recently visited the UK and was in London for talks with Boris Johnson. She said: “Kiwis have long advocated for improvements to working holiday visas. We are so pleased to have reached this agreement.”

“I was one of many Kiwis to enjoy living and working in the UK, and we look forward to offering Brits the same wonderful experience in New Zealand,” Ms Arden added. 

Arden’s visit to the UK comes after she and Johnson attended the Nato summit in Madrid, and follows the agreement of the UK-New Zealand free trade deal back in February. 

Ahead of their meeting in London, Johnson said: “Though they may be one of our most distant allies, the United Kingdom counts New Zealand among our closest friends.”

Deep bond

“We share a world view, standing up for democracy and free trade around the world, which is fortified by deep bonds of language and culture,” Johnson added.

Commenting on the trade deal, Johnson said: “We are working side-by-side to address new and evolving threats that threaten to undermine stability and sovereignty in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

“Our trade deal is slashing red tape, cutting tariffs and opening exciting new opportunities for British businesses and entrepreneurs to travel and trade. And now our scientists are working together to solve humanity’s toughest challenges,” Johnson added.

New Zealand’s Union of Student Associations President, Andrew Lessells, said: “This is a big deal for the increasing population of mature students.”

“Some people are now studying later which means they’re taking OEs later. It’s great to see actually, some greater flexibility, because that age extension is going to make a real difference for thousands of people, and for thousands of students,” Lessells added.

Changes not immediate

However, while an agreement has been reached, changes to Youth Mobility and Working Holiday Visa schemes will not happen immediately. It’s understood that changes can be expected in 2024.

The UK will continue to limit the number of UK visas made available to New Zealanders once new look schemes are launched. Currently, the 2022 quota is 13,000 places.

Meanwhile, New Zealand will introduce an annual cap of 15,000 places for UK nationals applying for the Working Holiday scheme.

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